Prison Life Described By Psychiatrist (Press, 28 August 1962)

In an article published in the New Zealand Medical Journal on 28 August 1962, Dr. A. J. W. Taylor, a psychiatrist based in Wellington, discusses the complex social dynamics and psychological impacts of life in Mount Crawford Prison. He argues that when individuals are denied the opportunity to become responsible citizens, they often turn their efforts towards becoming effective criminals. Dr. Taylor highlights that the prison environment fosters a distinct moral and economic framework in which inmates seek mutual support, and this can lead to a deterioration of moral values. He explains that new inmates, or novices, feel compelled to emulate professional criminals, particularly if they feel rejected by society or their families. Within the prison, inmates are influenced by one another, often rejecting the role of staff and adhering to a code that discourages collaboration with authorities. The primary crime within this setting, Dr. Taylor notes, is being caught stealing from fellow inmates, followed closely by being labelled an informer. Dr. Taylor observes a general reluctance among inmates to engage in productive activities, which is often linked to feelings of lethargy. However, he identifies that opportunities to engage in meaningful tasks during emergencies, such as fire-fighting, can foster cooperation and improve morale. He notes that certain times, such as the quarterly parole board sessions or Christmas, evoke heightened emotional responses, serving as reminders of their confinement. The article also delves into the social hierarchy present among inmates, where individuals are classified based on the nature of their crimes. Professional individuals who have faltered in their careers, such as lawyers or teachers, find themselves on the same social level as seasoned criminals, while those convicted of lesser crimes are ranked lower. This hierarchy is rigid, resulting in inmates gravitating towards those with similar backgrounds, even if they may have noble intentions of promoting inclusivity. Dr. Taylor highlights that inmates often create elaborate stories to explain their absence from society, and many show little interest in improving prison conditions upon their release, likely out of fear of being perceived as suspicious citizens. He concludes by stating that therapeutic interventions can aid inmates in adjusting to prison life. While the long-term effectiveness of such therapies in helping former inmates reintegrate into society remains uncertain, he believes that the immediate benefits of therapy for adjusting to the prison environment are significant.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand