Racial Politics in the Contemporary Prison Society: the Importance of Race and Ethnicity to Prison Social Organization

Problem

The Problem the Study Addresses: 

The study examines the influence of race and ethnicity on social organization within prisons, specifically focusing on the "racial code," a set of norms and rules governing behavior and interaction among racial groups. This research seeks to address the gap in understanding how race-based dynamics shape social behavior distinct from the general prison code.

General Impact to the System and/or Public: 

Racial segregation and racial politics in prisons amplify racial tensions and violence, challenging institutional safety and potentially reinforcing broader societal inequalities.

Research Questions Answered:

1. How is the racial code distinct from the general prison code?
2. What factors influence adherence to and mobilization of the racial code?
3. How do race, ethnicity, and gang affiliations correlate with racial code adherence and mobilization?
   
   
    

Method and Analysis

Program Evaluated or Gaps Addressed: 

The study evaluates the gap in empirical research regarding the operationalization of racial codes within prisons and their differentiation from prison codes.

Data and Sample Size: 

The research draws on data from the Arizona Living and Working in Prison Project, involving a sample of 251 incarcerated men surveyed over one year.

Analysis Used:

The study employed confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to evaluate the dimensionality of the racial code and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression to examine the relationships between racial and prison codes, race/ethnicity, gang status, and other prison variables.
 

Outcome

Key Findings:

• Racial Code as a Distinct Construct: The racial code is distinct from the prison code, encompassing two dimensions:
  • Adherence: Loyalty and obedience to one's racial group.
  • Mobilization: Willingness to engage in violence for racial group interests.
• Race and Ethnicity Matter: Hispanic individuals showed higher adherence to the racial code but not necessarily mobilization. Black individuals were less likely to adhere to or mobilize the racial code compared to White counterparts.
• Role of the Prison Environment: The prison environment (e.g., negative relations, pains of imprisonment) was less associated with the racial code compared to the prison code.
• Limited Role of Gang Affiliation: Gang status did not significantly correlate with racial code adherence or mobilization, challenging the assumption that racial politics are confined to gang dynamics.
   

Implications or Recommendations: 

• Policy Adjustments: Avoid conflating race/ethnicity with gang affiliation in prison policies.
• Diversity Programming: Promote diversity and inclusion workshops for incarcerated individuals and staff to address racial divisions.
• Reevaluate Segregation Practices: Address the potential negative effects of racial segregation, aiming to foster safer and more integrative prison environments.
   

This study underscores the importance of centering race and ethnicity in prison research and policy to better understand and address racial dynamics in the carceral system.