Prison LifeGoffman’s theory of Total institution

Special reference in Kaluthara prison

N.R.opanayakaSabaragamuwa university srilanak

Defining The prison, that darkest region in the apparatus

of justice, is the place where the power to punish, which no longer dares to manifest itself openly, silently organizes a field . . . in which punishment will be able to function openly as treatment.

Michel Foucault, Discipline & Punishment

Total InstitutionsErving Goffman coined the term (1961).

The place where people work, play, eat, sleep, and recreate together on a daily basis.

Examples of total institutions:• Prisons• Concentration camps• Summer camps• Mental hospitals• Seminaries

Characteristics of theory

Life together for an extended proud of lifeIsolation of wider societyInstitution decided daily activities and it

tends to organizational goal.

Prison cultures

formal/official - consists of rules and procedures established by the local, state, or authorities

informal/unofficial - also called prison subculture

Prison hierarchyAAssistant Inspector General of PrisonsDDeputy Inspector General of PrisonsIInspector General of PrisonsPSuperintendent (jail)

Duty of prison staff

Governing prisonersDo their duties

Prison subculture• values and behavioral patterns

specifically characteristic of prison inmates

• develops independently of plans of prison administrators

• often more powerful than formal/official structure

• includes values, roles, and even a special language

Five elements of the prison code:

• don’t interfere with interests of other inmates – don’t rat on others

• play it cool and do your own time • don’t whine – be a man • don’t exploit inmates – don’t break your

word • don’t be a sucker – don’t trust guards or

staff

Two models of prison society:

• deprivation model – Prison subculture is an adaptation to the

situation.• importation model – An inmate

brings with him to prison specific values, roles, and behaviors from the outside world.

Prisoners have the right to:

• food, water, and shelter

A.protection from foreseeable attack

B.protection from predictable sexual attack

C.protection against suicide

Prisoners also have the right to:

Attend services of other religious groups

Receive visits from ministers

Correspond with religious leaders

Observe religious dietary laws

Wear religious insignia

Comparing features

Dress codeTime tableFood patternDifferent cultureRulesDifferent living areasLiving under governing

Dress code

Time table

Food pattern

Different culture

Different living areas

Living under governing

Compare prison and school

We went Kargasthalawa school and check Goffman theory

Isolation Different living place

Uniform Governing staff

Personal growth……

Our perspective (conclusion)

Prison is in made societySchool is not more madePrison live course to mental problemsSchool life some what good than prisonWe think prison is not good methodSchool is good method for children

Limitation Cant get deep detailsVery difficult to get permeation in to prisonTime is limited

Reference

Foucault, M. “The birth of the Asylum” pp.141-167 in Paul Rabinow The Foucault Reader.Penguin Books, 1984.

Hacking, Ian 2004 “Between Michel

Foucault and Erving Goffman: between discourse in the abstract and face-to-face interaction” Economy and Society 33(3):277-302

Thank you

Presented by;10/SL/18110/SL/129