The only thing consistent about this place is the inconsistency”: Idleness and Stress in Prison

• In Event: Dispatches From Behind the Veil: Assessing Leisure, Legitimacy, and Resiliency in Prison Through a PAR Approach

Abstract

Often prison as a place creates an image of high security, stressful situations, and dangerous environments. In reality, prison environments actually offer a place of idle free time, with limited recreational and leisure activities. Since the earliest models of prisons prohibited forms of leisure activity, consideration of recreational activities in correctional facilities received little attention. However, literature has established that recreational time in prison environments is an important factor for safety of facilities, stress management, as well as mental and physical health of incarcerated populations which, in turn, impact those working in the institutions. This analysis sought to determine use of time, access to programs, and positive outlets for emotional release on perceptions of lifestyle changes among incarcerated populations. Data from 714 incarcerated individuals in 2023 found that structuring time in programs and activities, as well as having positive emotional outlets improve the likelihood of incarcerated populations feeling they have the ability to make a positive change in their life.

Authors

• Emalie Rell, University of Delaware

• Daniel OConnell, Center for Drug and Health Studies, University of Delaware

• Christy Visher, University of Delaware

• Darryl L. Chambers, University of Delaware