Outline and evaluate one or more institutional expnations of agression

... Institutional aggression is a significant problem; as a result of this various explanations have been proposed in an attempt to combat this. For example, the Importation model and the Deprivation model. Firstly, the Importation Model suggests that the prisoners themselves become violent, as they bring to prison their own social traits, which results in the subsequent aggressive behaviour. For example, Mills, Kroner and Weekes found that higher levels of misconduct in prison were associated with severe levels of alcohol dependence - which supports the theory that the prisoners are the aggressors, not their environment. Additionally, Kane and Janus found that lack of education and greater periods of unemployment were also connected with higher levels of aggression, however, this is a correlation so a distinct cause and effect cannot be established. Furthermore, Irwin and Cressey recognised the importance of subcultures in prison, identifying repeat offenders as members of subcultures such as 'The

want to read more? →