Situational Prison Control: Crime Prevention in Correctional Institutions

by Richard Wortley

Overview

This book examines the control of prison disorder through the application of situational crime prevention principles. It spans two subject areas—crime prevention and corrections—and may interest academics as well as practitioners in these fields. On one hand, the book presents a new model of situational prevention that has applications beyond institutions to community settings. On the other, the examination of particular problem behaviors provides a comprehensive review of the prison control literature that does not depend upon a specific interest in situational crime prevention.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521009409
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	03/25/2002
Series:	Cambridge Studies in Criminology
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	268
Product dimensions:	6.02(w) x 8.98(h) x 0.75(d)
Lexile:	1340L (what's this?)

About the Author

Richard Wortley is Head of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith University, Brisbane. He has a PhD in psychology from Macquarie University, Sydney, and began his career as a prison psychologist in the New South Wales prison system, a position he held for nine years. It was his experience in prisons that convinced Dr Wortley of the crucial role of the immediate environment in shaping human behaviour in general and prisoner behaviour in particular. During this period he was involved in the establishment of the first unit management facility in an Australian prison (Bathurst Gaol), and the success of these units in reducing violence showed him that positive change in prison was possible. Since taking up a university position he has taught and researched in the areas of corrections and crime prevention. Recent articles have appeared in Law and Human Behaviour, the Journal of Applied Social Psychology, Crime Prevention Studies and Studies in Crime and Crime Prevention. He is currently National Chair of the Australian College of Forensic Psychologists.

Table of Contents

Part I. Theoretical Foundations: 1. Introduction: why situational prison control?; 2. Situational theories of prison behaviour; 3. Situational methods of prison control; 4. A model of situational prison control; Part II. Specific Behaviours: 5. Prisoner-prisoner violence; 6. Sexual assaults; 7. Prisoner-staff violence; 8. Self harm; 9. Drug use; 10. Escapes; 11. Collective disorder; Part III. Conclusions: 12. Hard and soft situational prison control.

Editorial Reviews

"...Wortley's pragmatic approach makes this a particularly interesting book. His application of the situational crime prevention strategy to concrete, everyday, real prison management dilemmas makes this a different approach in its own right. Wortley deftly moves from theory to application, all within the framework of 'opportunity reduction'". Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare

From the Publisher