Psychological Effects of Custodial Sentencing Flashcards
(12 cards)
What is institutionalisation in the context of custodial sentencing?
Prisoners adapt to strict routines and norms of prison life, becoming dependent on this environment. After release, they struggle to adjust to normal life, leading to anxiety and distress. This can cause some to reoffend to return to the familiar prison environment.
What is brutalisation in the context of custodial sentencing?
Prison can reinforce criminal attitudes and behaviours by exposing inmates to a culture of crime. Offenders may learn new criminal techniques and become more committed to a criminal lifestyle.
What are the mental health effects of custodial sentencing?
Prison populations show high rates of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide, often linked to prison conditions like overcrowding, lack of resources, and violence.
What is the labelling effect of custodial sentencing?
Being labelled as an ‘ex-prisoner’ can reduce employability and social acceptance. This stigma can cause feelings of hopelessness, which increases the likelihood of reoffending.
What is a strength of the institutionalisation effect?
Research shows many prisoners report needing support to adjust after release, supporting the idea that institutionalisation affects their ability to function outside prison.
What is a limitation of the institutionalisation effect?
Evidence relies on self-reports, where offenders may blame external factors rather than their own choices. Research on locus of control shows reoffenders tend to have an external locus, suggesting institutionalisation might be an excuse, questioning its credibility.
What is a strength of the brutalisation effect?
High recidivism rates, especially among young offenders, support the idea that prison reinforces criminal attitudes and behaviours.
What is another strength of the brutalisation effect?
Research indicates that placing low-risk offenders with high-risk offenders increases the former’s likelihood to reoffend, further supporting brutalisation.
What is a limitation of the poor mental health effect?
It’s hard to determine if mental health issues stem from prison or pre-existing conditions, making cause and effect unclear.
What is a strength of the poor mental health effect?
Zimbardo’s prison simulation study showed healthy individuals developed anxiety and depression in a prison-like environment, supporting prison’s negative impact on mental health.
What is a strength of the labelling effect?
Statistics confirm ex-prisoners face employment difficulties due to social stigma, supporting the labelling effect.
What is another strength of the labelling effect?
This understanding has practical applications: alternatives to prison like community service or restorative justice reduce labelling and reoffending, demonstrating the theory’s usefulness.
