Explain the importation theory of imprisonment

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The theory assumes that the roots of prison society lie outside prison. All prisoners bring with them a long history of life in public institutions—almost all have gone to school, many have spent time in juvenile and adult facilities, and some have been confined in psychiatric hospitals and other treatment facilities. They also bring to prison other individual attributes—their race, ethnicity, and criminal history. Once in prison, prisoners still watch television, read magazines, listen to music, talk to visitors, bring lawsuits, and maintain contacts with gangs outside prison. All these aspects of their background and life in prison break down the clear barriers, if there ever were any, between life inside and outside prison.