Question

______, developed by Donald Clemmer, is a process of assimilating prison culture or a process of taking on in a greater or a lesser degree the folkways, mores, customs and general culture of a prison in integrative steps.

• A. Prisonisation
• B. Wolfganging
• C. Prisondualisation
• D. Prison-scapegoating

Hint:

Prisonisation means “socialization into prison culture.” Longer imprisonment often increases prisonisation.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept:

• Prison sociology studies the unique social structure and subculture that develops within correctional facilities.
• Inmates often undergo a psychological and social transformation as they adapt to the institutional environment.

Step 1: Identify the scholar and theory
Donald Clemmer, in his 1940 book The Prison Community, introduced the term "Prisonisation." He described it as the process by which an inmate takes on the values, customs, and culture of the prison subculture.

Step 2: Analyze the components of the process
Prisonisation involves learning the "inmate code" (e.g., don't snitch), adopting specific prison slang, and becoming dependent on the prison routine. Clemmer noted that the longer a person stays in prison, the more "prisonised" they become.

Step 3: Contrast with other options
(B) Wolfganging relates to Marvin Wolfgang's studies on subcultures of violence. (C) and (D) are non-standard terms not associated with Donald Clemmer's primary work on prison culture.

Step 4: Conclusion
Based on the direct reference to Clemmer and the definition of cultural assimilation in jail, the correct term is Prisonisation.