Enforcing Institutional Regulations in Prison Settings

Abstract

Although gambling is permitted in free society, it is prohibited in all detention facilities under the jurisdiction of the Province of Quebec. In this article, the authors focus on correctional officers’ opinions concerning this regulation, as well as their reasons for choosing whether or not to enforce it. The absence of disciplinary reports issued in this regard confirms that coercion is rarely, if ever, used to counter this activity. When interventions do occur, they are aimed less at the act of betting than at the associated undesirable behaviors, such as disturbing the peace in the cellblock. Many of the guards interviewed see gambling as a positive leisure activity, in the sense that it generates negative impacts only occasionally. It even makes their work easier because pleasure eases tensions and helps maintain tranquility in the block. Since this activity does not usually jeopardize the safety of the correctional population or the prison staff, it is often used as a conciliation tool, which is evidence of the guards’ discretionary power.

Faire entendre sa plainte. Le savoir-faire mobilisé dans la composition des rapports disciplinaires en prison

“…Maintenir l'ordre en prison est le résultat de choix complexes effectués par les acteurs du milieu carcéral (Beauregard, Chadillon-Farinacci, Brochu et Cousineau, 2013 ;Sparks, Bottoms et Hay, 1996). Ce travail délicat dépend bien sûr du type de ressources disponibles (droit, prestige, appel à la morale, force physique, etc.)…”

A study of the connection between gambling and crime in Hungarian prisons

“…Many interviewed guards described gambling as a positive leisurely activity, reasoning that the negative effects generated by it appeared only occasionally; that gambling relieves stress; and it helps to maintain peace among the prisoners. Since this activity usually does not endanger the penitentiary staff or detainees, it is usually used as a tool of mediation (Beauregard, Chadillon-Farinacci, Brochu, & Cousineau, 2013). In French prisons, the proportion of pathological problem gamblers is 6.7% (Mandhouj, Aubin, Amirouche, Perroud, & Huguelet, 2013).…”