ABSTRACT
From the first moment of incarceration, the newcomer faces ‘initiation rituals’ (Kaminski 2003; Goffman 1961) and often humiliating trials that test his tolerance to physical and mental pain, self-confidence, mental strength, alertness, intelligence and humour. He is expected to lean norms and values of his new subculture rapidly and plan his strategies and goals patiently, acknowledging the domination of ‘jungle law’ in his new setting (Kaminski 2003; Johnson and Toch 2000). The prison environment socialises an inmate to behave in predictable ways. Very few actions are executed spontaneously and unpredictably in the prisoners’ subculture. Injuries, violence, ambushes, humiliations and social isolation can be understood and explained as outcomes of carefully calculated acts.
