Summary: The Influence Of Social Interaction In Prison

Yes, Sykes was correct when he mentioned that the social interaction among inmates have the greatest influence of imprisonment. The effects of social interaction in prison are crucial to an inmate sanity. Whether in prison or out in the free world, social interaction is an essential part of being human. Prisoners are away from their families and friends, therefore, social interactions within prison become a very important aspect of the prison experience. When an individual goes to prison, he or she meets other criminals and that can have an impact on him or her upon release. Sykes (2007) argued that association between inmates is more deplorable than mental and physical deterioration. In prison, criminals learn from each other. Usually once a criminal is release from prison, he or she might become a
It can be beneficial. For example, some prisoners are able to find mates during incarceration and those relationships can continue outside of prison. Social interactions can have religious benefits. Some prisoners are able to find the religious affiliation. These religious groups can have a positive influence on the prisoner by providing an outlet for him to stay out of trouble both in prison and upon his release. A great example would be the conversion of Malcolm X into Islam. Before his arrival in prison, Malcolm X was deviant, but through social interaction, he found Islam and became one of the greatest leader in the history of America after he was release. Social interaction is what makes imprisonment tolerable. If prisoners were not allowed to interact with each other, that could create a tense situation for inmates and prisoners alike. Inmates would be even more frustrated than they already are and would more than likely be taking out their frustrations on the guards. Since inmates are deprived of so many things, social interaction is the closest thing that the inmate have to the outside world. The social interaction between guards and inmate is very