Unit 1 Diversity in the Correctional Setting PDF

Unit 1 Diversity in the Correctional Setting Lesson 1 Inmate Societies Lesson Goal You will understand the range of special populations that could be living in a correc- tional facility. Think About This On a daily basis, you will interact with a variety of inmates. Special populations are i...

Unit 1 Diversity in the Correctional Setting Lesson 1 Inmate Societies Lesson Goal You will understand the range of special populations that could be living in a correc- tional facility. Think About This On a daily basis, you will interact with a variety of inmates. Special populations are inmates or groups of inmates with characteristics you should be aware of, so you can respond appropriately when supervising them. Although Florida has a very diverse population, inmates that make up Florida’s incarcerated popu- lation reflect large numbers of particular groups. Knowing how to monitor the more diverse popu- lations in a correctional facility is important for your safety, visitor safety, and the well-being of inmates. Special Populations Special populations are groups of inmates who have unique mental, physical, or social characteris- tics that distinguish them from the general population. Officers, management, and administrative staff will need to respond to these inmates in non-traditional and innovative ways. ✅ CO711.1. Know the range of special population inmates Agencies have specific procedures, strategies, and approaches to managing special populations, which may include: members of gangs people with substance use disorder people with mental illness or an intellectual disability people with long-term medical conditions or physical disabilities women the elderly juveniles Chapter 7 Supervising Special Populations / 197  people who are LGBTQ+ people in special confinement or on death row Societies By nature, humans are social beings, even in a correctional setting, and tend to identify with people with similar beliefs and backgrounds. Inmate societies tend to form around race, religion, medical needs, geographical identity, ethnicity, cultural background, and socioeconomic status. An inmate’s social and financial status, physical size, crimes committed, number of repeat offenses, and length of sentence can also play a part in these associations. ✅ CO711.2. Know the reasons why inmates form unique types of societies These societies bond together because of a common background or interests and sometimes for protection. Inmates might align with others they think have power, imitating them and wanting to be more like them. ✅ CO711.3. Know the common types of societies inmates form Having knowledge of some of the characteristics of these five basic societies will help you better understand the inmate population. Racial societies are often hybrids of multiple racial groups and may not reflect a single race. Groups focused on religious practice may guide an inmate’s daily activities, such as pray- ing five times a day, carrying a rosary, or fasting. Inmates with similar medical issues, such as diabetes, HIV, and cancer often sympathize with their own social group, sharing medical experiences and hardships. Geographical societies are coming to the forefront of inmate populations. Inmates from the same geographical region often group together. They use identifiers, such as the tele- phone area code, and name of the major city or county in which they lived. Some inmates from similar socioeconomic groups will cluster and sometimes control certain activities within the inmate population with money, contraband, and influence. Inmates on the lower end of the social ladder often struggle to gain protection from inmates with greater influence. ✅ CO711.4. Know the structural dynamics of inmate societies Inmate societies may follow a hierarchical leadership where there is a clearly defined leader, sub-leaders, and followers. Elderly inmates typically do not have a leader. Youthful offender soci- eties often do not maintain the discipline required to keep a leadership structure. Different situa- tions, such as fights, releases, intakes, changes in the availability of assets, or politics can frequently alter the hierarchy of an inmate society. 198 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (CO): Volume 1