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Abstract
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Every prison, whether of the most modern or most obsolete character, is characterized by an abnormal atmosphere, intensified by the fact that all the men gathered there are stigmatized by having been convicted and placed in a penal institution. Some prisoners find outlet in day-dreams; they admit spending hours upon hours imagining the various objects of their desires, which range from juicy steaks to voluptuous women. Others spend most of their time enjoying themselves thinking about all the things they will do when they are released from prison. A characteristic of a number of prisoners is that their day-dreams are so repetitious and constant that often a prisoner becomes convinced that his day-dreams have a basis in reality. In nearly every case the inmate feels that his conviction is unjust, that he had been railroaded, that the police "had it in for him." The average IQ's of prisoners are very low. There is generally a resentment against any schooling and training. Most of the prisoners talk at, rather than with their associates. Although the problem of sex is overlooked and neglected in American prisons, it is one of the most serious problems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)
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