Discipline and disorder in English prisons : aspects of policy and resistance 1840-1920
This thesis is an historical examination of English prisons from 1840 to 1920 which approaches the complexity of this institution from the perspective of the disturbances which occurred within it. The primary aim is not to analyse the form and extent of prison disturbances during this period, although this will be considered, but rather to concentrate upon the origins, causes and effects of these disturbances. English prison disturbances are examined on several inter-linking levels with regard to the structure, policy and relationships within the prison and the ways in which these interacted and produced disorder. Analysis of the separate categories of prisoners with regard to gender, age, physical or mental disability will be limited as this thesis is concerned with the prisoner largely in terms of position and status. The reason for examining the prison from the perspective of its internal disturbances is that they often revealed a great deal about the policies, problems and coercive nature of the institution. Indeed it has been asserted that power ~unexercised is seldom as visible as power which is challenged.~! Prison discipline was such an important environmental determinant that much of this thesis also
Brown, Alyson
History
Discipline and disorder in English prisons : aspects of policy and resistance 1840-1920. This thesis is an historical examination of English prisons from 1840 to 1920 which approaches the complexity of this institution from the perspective of the disturbances which occurred within it. The primary aim is not to analyse the form and extent of prison disturbances during this period, although this will be considered, but rather to concentrate upon the origins, causes and effects of these disturbances. English prison disturbances are examined on several inter-linking levels with regard to the structure, policy and relationships within the prison and the ways in which these interacted and produced disorder. Analysis of the separate categories of prisoners with regard to gender, age, physical or mental disability will be limited as this thesis is concerned with the prisoner largely in terms of position and status. The reason for examining the prison from the perspective of its internal disturbances is that they often revealed a great deal about the policies, problems and coercive nature of the institution. Indeed it has been asserted that power ~unexercised is seldom as visible as power which is challenged.~! Prison discipline was such an important environmental determinant that much of this thesis also
discipline disorder english prison aspect policy resistance historical examination english prison approach complexity institution perspective disturbance occur_within primary_aim analyse form extent prison disturbance period although consider rather concentrate_upon origin cause_effect disturbance english prison disturbance examine several inter linking level regard structure policy relationship within prison way interact produced disorder analysis separate category prisoner regard gender_age physical_mental disability limit concerned prisoner largely term position status reason examine prison perspective internal disturbance often reveal_great deal policy problem coercive nature institution indeed asserted power seldom visible power challenged prison discipline important environmental determinant much also