Introduction
Total institution is the concept of an isolated enclosed social system that controls aspects of the lives of those in the institution. A total institution encompasses the whole being of an individual while undercutting individuality. Individuals are processed through the institution as objects, and the individual is subjected to a regimented pattern of life that does not reflect self. The total institution is typically inescapable and its participants are under control of the institutions bureaucracy. In order to ensure leverage, the institution maintains tension between the institution and the outside world. The purpose of total institutions is to resocialize its participants. Total institutions can be voluntary or involuntary. Involuntary total institutions include prisons and most mental institutions. Voluntary total institutions include the military and closed religious institutions. Resocialization is intended to occur in total institution organizations. Total institutions are not an ideal method of resocialization when participants do not voluntary join or engage in the total institution.
Resocialization
Resocialization is an attempt to normalize behaviour. It is the process in which an individual learns new norms and behaviours. Former behaviour is discarded for new behaviour. The process of resocialization is typically intense. The participant experiences a sharp break from his or her regular activities in life and is exposed to radically different norms, behaviours and activities.
The intention of total institutions is to accomplish resocialization through a deliberate manipulation of the person’s environment. Resocialization is accomplished in two steps. The first step involves the eroding of the individual participant’s identity and independence. The second step involves building a different personality or self systematically through a system of reward and punishment. Resocialization and the creation of a new identity is conducted in various ways, including uniform appearance, renaming or providing a number, expectation of conformity, humiliation, punishment, rewards and encouragement..
Resocialization could be voluntary or involuntary. Religious conversion and military are voluntary while prison and mental institutions are involuntary. Although a few individuals may respond well to resocialization, many others respond in negative or hostile manners. Resocialization into institutions may also create a dependency on the institution and make it more difficult for individuals to resocialize back into society. Resocialization in prisons and mental institutions are typically involuntary and ineffective, while resocialization in voluntary total institutions such as the military and closed religious institutions are effective and result in successful resocialization.
In Prisons
Total institutions established to protect the community from individuals deemed to be a threat to society. Prisons are of this type of total institution, and participants are engaged in it involuntarily. Uniforms are worn by inmates as a way to take away the individuals self-identity and ensure conformity. Another method used to remove self-identity in prisons is giving each inmate an identity number. Individuals incarcerated may receive solitary confinement for refusal to follow rules.
Resocialization upon entering prison includes the removal of all personal items and replacement with a prison uniform, and a body search of all areas of the body while naked. The removal of personal identity and the instillation of humiliation begins quickly. All activities of the inmate are scheduled and routine. Strict rules and regulations are required and any deviation results in punishment. Demoralization and stigmatization occurs, yet the process of building up after degradation fails to occur in prisons.
Prison as a total institution removes all personal, stable and constant relationships. It is nearly impossible to keep outside relationships intact. Relationships are formed with other criminals and identity of the individual is created around being a criminal. Work ethics are unenhanced in the prison as individuals are placed in positions that are routine in unchallenging which results in no effort being required. Those who had careers prior to arrival view the work as forced labour instead of educational as supposedly intended. In addition, situations have occurred where inmates have been released from prison, and finding it difficult to live in the community, commit another crime in order to return to prison. When does the teaching of new normal behaviour begin and how can it begin in this type of setting? There could be no creation of self-efficiency and responsibility created in these surroundings.
Mental hospitals
Total institutions created to care for individuals not capable of caring for themselves and are a threat to the community. Hospital gowns are worn by patients as a way to take away the individuals self-identity and ensure conformity. Those who violate the rules in mental institutions may be placed in a straightjacket. Another aspect of total institution is harsh treatment, this reportedly occurred in the past in mental institutions. Studies of mental institutions in the 1980’s have shown that resocialization occurs as a means of removing undesirable behaviours, yet the means of accomplishing this was often unfitting and undeserving . The routine violence occurring is such establishments did not accomplish resocialization, but instead created more impacting and devaluation of human identity.
Military
Total institutions also exist as organizations intended as camps for education and training. Resocialization occurs in these types of total institutions, like the military, through the training of new recruits. In total institution, resocialization involves degradation and humiliation. In the military, a male recruit may be humiliated by a drill sergeant. If rules are not followed, a participant may be court martialled. Uniforms are worn by participants and the men are required to wear short hair as a way to take away the individuals self-identity and ensure conformity. Those who join the military, live in a culture isolated from mainstream society, live and work mostly among other members, received similar trainings where individuality is de-emphasized. The military is a voluntary total institution. Although resocialization does begin with a form of humiliation and degradation, in following through with resocialization, members gain a strong sense of self and responsibility, unlike that which occurs in involuntary total institutions.
Closed religious institutions
Total institutions organized as retreats serving as a place of learning or training. During resocialization in closed religious institutions, participants also have no freedom and must follow a strict structured schedule. For infractions, a participant may include banishment. However, in closed religious institutions, participants view resocialization practices as liberating rather than degrading. The decision to enter into this total institution is to better the self. Rather than a strain being created on the participant, like those in involuntary total institutions, a sense of freedom is felt. Although resocialization occurs similar in other total institutions as they do in closed religious institution, the attitude or impact on the individual is different in closed religious institutions. I would argue this is because this total institution is voluntary. is imposed.
Conclusion
Although the intentions of resocialization are good, it seems that results of are not positive in the total institutions of prisons and mental institutions- the involuntary total institutions. Total institution is not an ideal concept of re-socialization in today’s society. A total institution is the concept of an isolated enclosed social system that controls aspects of the lives of those in the institution. A total institution encompasses the whole being of an individual while undercutting individuality. Individuals are processed through the institution as objects. The individual is subjected to a regimented pattern of life that does not reflect self. The total institution is inescapable and its participants are under control of the institutions bureaucracy. In order to ensure leverage, the institution maintains tension between the institution and the outside world. The purpose of total institutions is to resocialize its participants. Although resocialization is intended to occur in many of the total institution organizations, resocialization is not effective in involuntary total institutions.
References
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