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Comparing The Deprivation Model And Importation Model Of Prison Culture

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Prison culture is the values, norms, and attitudes that inmates form in terms of institutional survival. There are two base models of prison culture, deprivation model and importation model. Deprivation model is the behavior product of the environment and decrsibes the prisoner’s attempt to adapt to the deprivations imposed by incarceration. Importation is the ideals and traditional values imported by the outside world that a prisoner brings with them as they enter into the prison system (Siegel & Bartolla, 2011). Research and studies have shown there is a hierarchy within the prison system and its prisoners, established by the prisoners. According to an article titled, Prison: Prisoners – Inmate Subcultures and Informal Organizations, discusses the hierarchy within the prison system. It reads that “prisons have an inverted status hierarchy that often honors behaviors and activities condemned by law abiding.” It goes on to discuss how within this hierarchy, the highest level of respect and honors one could receive is being a “cop killer”, a status symbol that is admired by other prisoners. …show more content…

Strong armed rapist even receive respect within their prison hierarchy. Additionally, child molesters or “chomos” also receive a label, this however is not a label of respect or honors. Having this label often makes them a target and are sought after and attacked for a variety of reasons. A recent report in the Associated Press, proposes inmates within the California state prison system are being killed at a rate that is twice of the national average, with sex offenders deaths being a substantial number of those murdered inside prison (Ferranti,

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