Stanford Prison Experiment on Conformity to Expected Roles

Prisons have a negative impact on a healthy lifestyle because they create an unhealthy system filled with abuse, isolation, stress and mental problems which ultimately dehumanizes prisoners. First prisoners experience psychological trauma by being removed from the real world. All their possessions are taken away and are ultimately stripped of their identity. Next communication with family will dissipate due to where the prisoner is located and if the family has means to travel to the location. Prisoners lose control over aspects of their lives such as what they can eat and how and when they can spend their time. Maximum security prisons include 6-foot by 10-foot cells which is shared with another roommate. The threat of violence runs rampant in prisons which creates high amounts of anxiety and stress which decreases overall health. In prison systems, the average aging in 15 years more progressive than normal aging due to the conditions in prisons (Costanzo). Prisons create an environment that is detrimental to physical and mental health which then stunts rehabilitation in prisons, these variables create an environment that is toxic. How can rehabilitation occur if negative conditions are going against the human condition? (Costanzo).

Criminologist, Joan Petersilla and many others have argued for the fact that prisons don't work and that prisons are an endless cycle of psychological trauma and the likelihood of reoffending are incredibly high once released. A study done by the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics contributors Mariel Alper and Matthrew Durose, showed that out the 412,731thousand prisoners that were released in 2005, every 5 out of 6 offenders, re-offended during the 9 year period following their release. 54% of individuals were arrested during their first year following release, 68% were arrested within 3 years, 79% within 6 years and 83 % were arrested within 9 years of imprisonment (Clarke). Over these nine years, men had an arrest rate of 84% and women had an arrest rate of 77%.These statistics indicate a problem within the US justice system prisons. Prisons are seen as a dumping ground for individuals who have mental health issues, drug addiction problems, homeless and people of an overall disadvantage. For the past 40 years the two thirds rearrest rate has stayed unchanged. As long as prisons don't take rehabilitation programs seriously, high recidivism rates will be prevalent. (Petersilla). A prisons main goal should be to deter crime, but these statistics show that they are more preoccupied with punishment for the few than creating a better society for all. (Clarke) Prisoners also face the problem of finding a job outside of prisons. Over 1/4th of prisoners are jobless following release, the unemployment rate of recently incarcerated people is five times higher than the general unemployment rate for the population of the United States (Couloute).

The notorious Stanford prison experiment done by Philip Zimabrdo, PhD, used a group of 24 males who were in college. These men were randomly assigned to be a prisoner or a guard. This study showed how people will readily conform to social roles they are expected to play and it was s done to mimic the way US prisons are run. Many prisoners suffered from emotional trauma and referred to themselves by their numbers within the first few days. The guards became sadistic while the prisoners became depressed and confused. We can infer that these patterns and emotions represent themselves in the real prison system as well. If previously mentally sound college students can be subjected to these conditions and be affected in this way, imagine how the real prison system affects those who were previously metnally ill or under disadvantages, how can these individuals lead a better life outside of the walls from the trauma they suffered while in prison? With mental illness already being a factor of going to prison in the first place, increased or worsened mental illness or discrimination can make them re-offend and increase recividism. Ultimately the goal of prisons was to punish but also integrate individuals back into society as law abiding citizens, but these statistics and arguments show that prisons have failed to do what they were meant to accomplish (Costanzo).