Approaches and methods in the quality of prison life assessing - measuring social and moral climate in prisons

Abstract

One of the most important topics in contemporary criminology refers to the functioning of penitentiary systems. Special emphasis is on the role of environment and the impact that environmental factors have on the behaviour of convicts and successfulness of their social reintegration, as the imprisonment purpose. Within this framework, one possible approach involves exploring the concepts of both the quality of prison life and social and moral climate in prisons with the introduction of standard methods for assessing or measuring them. Concept of the quality of prison life, as a multidimensional construct, and the effect of social and moral climate on the overall and future behaviour of prisoners are discussed in this study Definitions and operationalizations are presented, followed by the presentation of Measuring the Quality of Prison Life survey as a valid tool for understanding the contemporary experience of imprisonment. The systematization of knowledge on the about the interdependence of these concepts was conducted through a review of available literature. This study might encourage the initiation of further exploration of the dynamics of prison life in Serbia. That way, by promoting an expanded and systematical research focus on the quality of prison life, it would be possible to improve both prisoner treatment and superintendence.