Psychology, Control, and Policy Formation: Empowerment and Control—Can Power Be Given? Can Control Be Learned?

Direct‐Supervision and Remote‐Supervision Jails: A Comparative Study of Psychosocial Factors1

“…Research has shown that low levels of perceived control tied with high levels of stress may lead to more negative emotions, including aggressive behaviors (Lang & Heckhausen, 2001). Other research has proposed the possibility that those who lack a strong sense of control over their environment are marked by the inability to develop a sense of agency, or a lack of motivation to engage their environment (Castiglione, 1994;Lang & Heckhausen, 2002;Schulz & Heckhausen, 1996). Therefore, it is likely that inmates in remotesupervision environments, which tend to combine high density with less DIRECT-SUPERVISION AND REMOTE-SUPERVISION JAILS 1795 control, will develop more negative emotions and decreased engagement with the surrounding environment.…”