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The Society of Captives
A Study of a Maximum Security Prison
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With contributions by:
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Preface by:
Language:
English
Published/Copyright:
2020
About this book
The Society of Captives, first published in 1958, is a classic of modern criminology and one of the most important books ever written about prison.
Gresham Sykes wrote the book at the height of the Cold War, motivated by the world's experience of fascism and communism to study the closest thing to a totalitarian system in American life: a maximum security prison. His analysis calls into question the extent to which prisons can succeed in their attempts to control every facet of life--or whether the strong bonds between prisoners make it impossible to run a prison without finding ways of "accommodating" the prisoners.
Re-released now with a new introduction by Bruce Western and a new epilogue by the author, The Society of Captives will continue to serve as an indispensable text for coming to terms with the nature of modern power.
Author / Editor information
Gresham M. Sykes is Professor of Sociology Emeritus at the University of Virginia. He is the author of many books, including Social Problems in America and Crime and Society, and the coauthor of Criminology.
Reviews
"The book should be read by all who are interested in, or dealing with, those convicted of crimes. No ready solution is offered, but the problems are brought forth forcefully."
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"Sykes's perspective simultaneously on all parties in the prison's social system is unique, and his interpretation is profound."---Daniel Galaser, American Journal of Sociology
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"Praise for Princeton's original edition: "[A] remarkable study by a scrupulously honest, non-captive observer of the real meaning of captivity.""---C. H. Rolph, New Statesman
Topics
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Frontmatter
i -
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CONTENTS
vii -
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Introduction to the Princeton Classic Edition
ix -
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Preface
xxvii -
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Introduction
xxix -
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Chapter One: The Prison and Its Setting
1 -
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Chapter Two: The Regime of the Custodians
13 -
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Chapter Three: The Defects of Total Power
40 -
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Chapter Four: The Pains of Imprisonment
63 -
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Chapter Five: Argot Roles
84 -
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Chapter Six: Crisis and Equilibrium
109 -
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Chapter Seven: A Postscript for Reformers
130 -
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Epilogue: The Structural-Functional Perspective on Imprisonment
135 -
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Appendix A: A Note on Method
147 -
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Appendix B: The Routine of Imprisonment
149 -
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Index
157
Publishing information
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook published on:
February 11, 2021
eBook ISBN:
9781400828272
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook ISBN:
9781400828272
Keywords for this book
Imprisonment; Prison; New Jersey State Prison; Prisoner; Institution; Solitary confinement; Attempt; Crime; Criminology; Punishment; Criticism; Social structure; Consideration; Penology; Laundry; Participant observation; Masculinity; Fraud; Ruler; Aphorism; Social order; Hostility; Corruption; Princeton University; Publication; Copyright; Homosexuality; Prison riot; Surveillance; Sociology; Prison uniform; Recidivism; Necessity; Precedent; Deterrence (legal); Inmate Code; Reformatory; By-law; Calculation; Employment; Social Science Research Council; Salary; Deviance (sociology); Harry Elmer Barnes; Requirement; Criminal record; Indication (medicine); Modus vivendi; Case study; Racket (crime); Deputy commissioner; Regulation; Politics; Totalitarianism; Psychologist; Ethnography; Stupidity; Recreation; Reprimand; Perversion; Discretion; Decree; Social behavior; Poverty; Social status; Aggression; Jonathan Simon; Talcott Parsons; The Other Hand; Social science
Audience(s) for this book
For an expert adult audience, including professional development and academic research
