Graduation Date
1991
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Other
Program
Arts
Committee Chair Name
Dr. Jerrald D. Krause
Committee Chair Affiliation
Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Dr. Samuel Oliner
Third Committee Member Name
Dr. Elizabeth Watson
Keywords
Art
Subject Categories
Art
Abstract
I began this research project with an invitation from Mr. Terry Peetz, Chief Deputy Warden of Pelican Bay State Prison to design a research project, conduct research, and provide the California Department of Correction and Pelican Bay State Prison with the ability to monitor a long-term research project. Mr. Peetz was specifically interested in the Security Housing Unit as it "provides levels of control unparalleled in Department of Corrections History." Mr. Peetz proposed three areas of concern: 1. Incident frequencies appear to be dramatically reduced in number and types. 2. To develop quantifiable data that compares the cost related to the avoidance of litigation, medical, incident, disciplinary, state compensation, etc. 3. We would like to assess the environmental impact of this (prison) design on inmates and staff. In response to this invitation I began an ethnographic study at Pelican Bay State Prison. My goal was to understand prison society via Pelican Bay State Prison. I proceeded with inductive qualitative research from an interactionist perspective. On May 15, 1990, I entered Pelican Bay State Prison as a participant observer. The overall strategy has been to review pertinent literature about those who work and live in the prison world followed by exploratory research. I divided my exploratory research into 16 structural determinants which I believe define the prison environment and determine the norms of prison society. The research design provides the methodology to collect quantitative data and to address the stated interest of prison officials. The resulting ethnographic study reveals much about the structural and emotional qualities within the prison environment. As a sociologist, I believe that generating data on the effects of prison on the people who work and live within the prison environment is extremely timely. Considering the current emphasis on prison construction throughout the United States, it is imperative that a broader understanding of the effects of imprisonment be made available. My work at Pelican Bay State Prison documents these effects. I have concluded that as the level of control is increased in our prison system the greater the alienation experienced by those inside the prison environment. The increased control in the Security Housing Unit of Pelican Bay State Prison will result in increased alienation creating negative impact on those who work and live in prison.
Recommended Citation
Schultz, Robert, "Life in the Shu: An Ethnographic Study of Pelican Bay State Prison" (1991). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 2363.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/2363