(MASTER'S) THESIS TOPIC: THE SECOND LIFE OF A PRISONER (PSYCHOSOCIAL PORTRAIT OF “BARONS” SUBCULTURE)
PRISONERS' SUBCULTURE AS AN INFORMAL SOCIAL GROUP
ABSTRACT
In each institution, next to formal institution are some informal relations which are “informal organisation”, in other words so called “the second life”. Often, the informal life plays a vital part in penitentiary and “the second life” becomes sometimes the most important sphere in relationships between the prisoners.
In this master's thesis was brought up the problem of “prisoners' second life” and “barons” subculture was being analysed.
This thesis consists of five chapters. In the first chapter was being explained the definition of culture, counterculture, subculture and there is also a list of the most important subcultures. Furthermore, this chapter containes the description of subculture theories.
The second chapter concerns prisoners' subculture. It consists of a subsection in which are the most important still acting groups in penitentiary unit decribed. Moreover, it includes information about the prisoners' tattoo and cant and acquaint oneself with multidementional reality in penitentiary.
The third chapter of this thesis is a trial to present the characteristic features of “barons” subculture. It contains information about membership and hierarchy, attitude towards authorietes and people from outside the subculture, rules and norms which prevails in "barons" subculture.
The fourth chapter is a methodological chapter including aim and subject of the examination and examination problems and the first versions of hyphothesis. In this chapter were also delineated the methods, techniques and examination tools, which were used in this thesis.
In the fifth chapter is an analysis and presentation of own examination results. It includes examination results which applies to “prisons' second life” and prisoners' subculture. In this chapter, among other things, was being presented an interpretation of this terms by examined people.
“Prisons' second life” is a phenomenon, in which accur dynamic changes and transormations. Unchangable stays the fact that it includes not only the prisoners which serve a sentence, but also the prison service.