Society of Captives: A Study of a Maximum Security Prison - Softcover

Sykes, Gresham M.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0691028141 ISBN 13: 9780691028149

Publisher: Princeton University Press, 1971

Synopsis

Gresham Sykes wrote the book at the height of the Cold War, motivated by the world's experience of fascism and communism to study the closest thing to a totalitarian system in American life: a maximum security prison. The book is remarkably short--just 150 pages--but bristles with ideas. Sykes argued that many of the psychological effects of modern prison are even more brutal than the physical cruelties of the past. The trauma of being designated one of the very worst human beings in the world left prisoners with lifelong scars. It also inspired solidarity among prisoners and fierce resistance to authorities as strategies for rejecting those who rejected them. His analysis called into question whether prisons genuinely were, as many believed, "total institutions," where every facet of life was rigidly controlled. Sykes showed that the stronger the bonds among prisoners, the more difficult it was for prison guards to run the prisons without finding ways of "accommodating" the prisoners.



The book set the stage for Michel Foucault’s Discipline and Punish, among other works. Since it appeared in 1958, it has served society as an indispensable text in coming to terms with the nature of modern power.

About this title

Review

"ÝA¨ remarkable study by a scrupulously honest, non-captive observer of the real meaning of captivity." -- C. H. Ralph

Praise for Princeton's original edition: "ÝA¨ remarkable study by a scrupulously honest, non-captive observer of the real meaning of captivity. -- C. H. Rolph "New Statesman"
The book should be read by all who are interested in, or dealing with, those convicted of crimes. No ready solution is offered, but the problems are brought forth forcefully. -- Psychiatric Quarterly
The book should be read by all who are interested in, or dealing with, those convicted of crimes. No ready solution is offered, but the problems are brought forth forcefully. -- "Psychiatric Quarterly

Sykes's perspective simultaneously on all parties in the prison's social system is unique, and his interpretation is profound.--Daniel Galaser "American Journal of Sociology "
Praise for Princeton's original edition: "[A] remarkable study by a scrupulously honest, non-captive observer of the real meaning of captivity.
--C. H. Rolph "New Statesman "
Sykes's perspective simultaneously on all parties in the prison's social system is unique, and his interpretation is profound.
--Daniel Galaser "American Journal of Sociology "

Praise for Princeton's original edition: "[A] remarkable study by a scrupulously honest, non-captive observer of the real meaning of captivity."--C. H. Rolph, New Statesman

"Sykes's perspective simultaneously on all parties in the prison's social system is unique, and his interpretation is profound."--Daniel Galaser, American Journal of Sociology

"The book should be read by all who are interested in, or dealing with, those convicted of crimes. No ready solution is offered, but the problems are brought forth forcefully."--Psychiatric Quarterly

About the Author

Gresham M. Sykes is Professor of Sociology Emeritus at the University of Virginia. He is the author of many books, including "Social Problems in America" and "Crime and Society", and the coauthor of "Criminology".

Edition details

• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Publication date: 1971
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0691028141
• ISBN 13: 9780691028149
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 164