Inmate Code

=About The Inmate Code=

"Inmate Code" refers to the rules and values that have developed among prisoners inside prisons social systems.cite book |author=Clear, Todd R., Cole, George F., Resig, Michael D.|year=2006 |title=American Corrections Seventh Edition |publisher=Thompson] The inmate code helps define an inmate's image as a model prisoner. The code helps to emphasize unity of prisoners against correctional workers. The two primary rules are for prisoners to do their own time and not to inform guards on another prisoner's activity. This code highlights the reasons why "rehabilitation" is often so difficult to achieve. The benefits offered by therapeutic programs such as Cognitive Self-Change, Breaking Barriers and Anger Management are rendered useless in a culture dictated by the inmate code.

The Code

In New Jersey, Gresham Sykes performed a study in prisons and refined the code as follows:cite book |author=Clear, Todd R., Cole, George F., Resig, Michael D.|year=2006 |title=American Corrections Seventh Edition |publisher=Thompson]

# Don't Interfere With Inmate Interests. Never rat on an inmate, don't be nosy, don't have loose lips, and never put an inmate on the spot.
# Don't Fight With Other Inmates. Don't lose your head and do your own time.
# Don't Exploit Inmates. If you make a promise, keep it, don't steal from inmates, don't sell favors, and don't go back on bets.
# Maintain Yourself. Don't: weaken, whine, cop out. Be a man and be tough.
# Don't Trust Guards Or The Things They Stand For. Don't be a sucker, guards are hacks and screws, the officials are wrong and the prisoners are right.

Notes