Critical Theory
Autor: Mikki • January 23, 2018 • 1,001 Words (5 Pages) • 499 Views
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The second issues that came up was how the inmates were treated within the PHW program. The counselors within this program felt as if they needed to break down the inmates in order for them to create a more suitable individual. The problem was these counselors didn’t have the best interest of the inmates. The counselors would constantly harass them, and then punish them if they retaliated. The counselors would call the inmates names such as, ‘Crack hoes, lowdown addicts, and dirty old dogs” (McCorkel 122). The inmates definitely had reasons as to why they would lash out on the individuals who worked within the program, but there was no punishment for their behavior. The counselors would go the extra mile to make sure they broke these women down. They would even say remarks about their children and ask them questions such as, “What kind of mother fails her children like that” (McCorkel 129). This program did the exact opposite of what it was initially intended to do. It is pretty shocking to know that there are some women who manage to hold themselves together through all of this and make it through. My question is how do we allow this to happen within our prison systems? And where do these prisoners go to express what is happening within closed quarters. Obviously no one who works within the system is going to report themselves for bad behavior. Also the higher ups aren’t going to make any reports either, because they don’t want to look bad. We need a complete revamping of our criminal system. As well as properly outlets for the inmates, so that they can express concerns.
Refernces
Brewer, Rose M., and Nancy A. Heitzeg. "The racialization of crime and punishment criminal justice, color-blind racism, and the political economy of the prison industrial complex." American Behavioral Scientist 51.5 (2008): 625-644.
McCorkel, Jill A. Breaking women: Gender, race, and the new politics of imprisonment. NYU Press, 2013.
Snell, Tracy L., and Danielle C. Morton. Women in prison. US Department of Justice, 1994.
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