Signs of Institutionalized minds. Pt.1: Inmates

Institutionalization, as explained by American Criminologist Craig Haney, is a process where inmates are influenced and molded by the institutional requirements within the prisons they inhabit. It involves a distinct set of psychological adaptations that often develop to various extents in response to the exceptional demands of prison life. While I concur with Mr. Haney, I aim to introduce and challenge the stereotypes surrounding who is impacted and susceptible to institutionalization.

From an external perspective, signs of institutionalism may arguably include the following:

1. Establishment of routine and predictability in their daily activities: Inmates may become accustomed to the structured schedule of prison life and may find it challenging to adapt to more flexible routines once released.
2. Reliance on prison staff for decision-making: Inmates may heavily depend on prison staff to make decisions for them, such as choices regarding meals, shower times, and exercise schedules.
3. Diminished independent thinking and decision-making skills: Inmates may become complacent and lose the ability to think critically and make decisions autonomously.
4. Lack of motivation or initiative: Inmates may become apathetic and lack the drive to set goals or work towards personal growth or rehabilitation.
5. Struggles with adapting to life outside of prison: Inmates may face challenges adjusting to the freedoms and responsibilities of life beyond prison, which can lead to a higher risk of recidivism.
6. Resistance to change or new experiences: Inmates may resist opportunities for personal growth or rehabilitation, preferring the familiarity and structure of prison life.
7. Display of institutionalized behaviors and attitudes: Inmates may exhibit behaviors and attitudes characteristic of institutional life, including aggression, distrust of authority, and a reliance on survival instincts.

While these are all valid examples and signs of institutionalization, as an institutionalized inmate myself, I and many of my peers recognize a different set of indicators of institutionalism. Here is a list I have compiled to shed light on the full story, often untold due to lack of representation and opportunity.

1. Caution Against War Stories:

War stories are exaggerated tales of past violent acts, drug use, and criminal exploits shared by inmates to gain status, respect, and instill fear. Individuals who predominantly dwell on such stories may be viewed as institutionalized, as they tend to focus solely on their past actions and achievements before prison. This fixation suggests a mental age freeze, where individuals cling to their pre-imprisonment selves.

2. Inability to Adapt to Changes within Prison:

Many inmates struggle to cope with changes enforced within prison, reacting with fits of stubbornness and childish behavior. This resistance to change, despite the monotony of prison life, may indicate difficulties in adapting, raising questions about their ability to handle the dynamic pace of the outside world.

3. Involvement in Prison Politics:

The Department of Corrections (D.O.C) often segregates inmates based on race and gang affiliations for safety reasons. However, the adoption of segregation tactics not only by D.O.C but also by the inmates themselves can foster hate, violence, and negatively impact mental health and emotional well-being. Participation in gang-related politics within prison can signify a defeatist mindset, where prison life becomes the norm, reflecting signs of institutionalization.

4. Reference to “The House”:

When inmates begin referring to their assigned cell as “the house,” it may signal institutionalization. Normalizing this terminology could be a coping mechanism for enduring prison life or “doing time.”

5. Social Anxiety:

Struggles with social anxiety, as experienced by many inmates, can be a significant challenge. The heightened demand for respect in prison interactions and the need for personal space can lead to anxiety in crowded situations, where the rules of respect and personal space vary from the structured prison environment.

6. When in Rome:

We are all familiar with the saying, right? If you inquire with your pen-pal or incarcerated friend/loved one about when time began to accelerate, most will mention a period around 3 to 6 years into their incarceration. Personally, I pondered why, after 4 years, time seemed to pass quickly and continues to do so to this day.

However, it wasn’t until a conversation about Institutionalization with my fiancé that I grasped the reason! Prison became my reality. I assimilated the culture, adjusted to the surroundings, and now, it has become my everyday life… This realization is not something I take pride in; it is a very humbling truth. Prison life has merged with my existence, and this realization dawned on me after 4 years of being incarcerated. Time moves swiftly for me, much like it does for individuals outside these walls.

In conclusion, Institutionalization appears to be inevitable. The impact of prison will leave an indelible mark on us, and we will carry that mark, that blemish, that anguish with us back into society. Just as individuals born in a specific region may retain an accent that reveals their origins or life experiences. There are numerous signs of institutionalism, but these are the most prominent for individuals on both sides of the prison walls.

Coming soon! – Indicators of Institutionalized minds Pt.2: Correctional Officers

* The beliefs, opinions, values, and perspectives expressed/shared by our guests, interviewee’s, and guest blogger’s are indeed their own and not that of PrisonBaes LLC, their affiliates, and employees

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