Institutional aggression in prisons

Max is a first-time offender in Oddmin Prison. He describes his experiences.

“Most of the day we are in our cells. We have little choice in anything, not even what we eat or what’s on TV. There is nothing to do. It’s so boring. There is a pool table but you can never get near it. Same with the books, there’s hardly any. I wish my girlfriend could visit but it’s too far away. It’s quite scary in here. You have to stick up for yourself and be tough to survive.”

Discuss the situational explanation of institutional aggression in the context of prisons. Refer to Max’s experiences in your answer.

An expert in institutional aggression focuses on how living conditions and environment can affect prisoner aggression. He visits Sharksville prison where there has recently been a prison riot. He observes the prison accommodation, prison conditions and how decisions about daily routine at the prison are made.

Which explanation for institutional aggression assumes that aggression is due to the institutional environment?

Referring to your answer to Question 26, describe what the expert could recommend to reduce institutional aggression at Sharksville prison.

Outline one limitation of the explanation for institutional aggression you have used to answer Question 27.

Outline and evaluate the dispositional explanation for institutional aggression in prisons.