Citation

Fitz L. Acta Criminol. 2020; 33(1): 1-19.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Criminological Society of South Africa)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article explores the conceptual and empirical ties between prison gang membership and institutional misconduct, using Akers' Social Learning Theory. Criminologists propose that prison gang membership and inmate misconduct stem from the Importation Theory. This theory postulates that individuals import their negative or anti-social values and beliefs into correctional centres, which exacerbate deviant behaviour. Akers' Social Learning Theory, on the other hand, suggests that individuals learn their deviant behaviour through modes of association and operant conditions. This article explores the variable of Importation Theory within the overarching construct of social learning to determine how and why inmates become deviant. The data informing the article comprises primary data (observations and responses to semi-structured questionnaires) and secondary data (source documents). Primary data was obtained from 151 inmates and 26 correctional officials who were custodians of information in three correctional centres in the Eastern Cape. The results indicate, firstly, that five importation variables, namely: street gang affiliation; substance abuse; age; prior employment; and previous convictions; significantly contribute to inmates' misconduct and, secondly, that inmates do not only import deviant behaviour into the correctional centres, but also learn it within correctional centres. Specifically, inmates learn their deviant behaviour through modes of association, differential reinforcement, and favourable definitions.

FINDINGS presented in this article provide a new perspective through which to understand the social and cultural context of inmates.

Language: en