The puzzle of prison order: why life behind bars varies around the world

In: Oxford scholarship online

Abstract

'The Puzzle of Prison Order' presents a theory of why prisons and prison life vary so much. While many people think prisons are all the same-rows of cells filled with violent men who officials rule with an iron fist, life behind bars varies in incredible ways. In some facilities, prison officials govern with care and attention to prisoners' needs. In others, officials have remarkably little influence on the everyday life of prisoners, sometimes not even providing necessities like food and clean water. Why does prison social order around the world look so remarkably different? This text shows that how prisons are governed - sometimes by the state and sometimes by the prisoners - is tremendously important.