“Good” and “bad” adaptation to prison isolation of Polish long-term prisoners

• In Event: Solitary confinement, isolation, victimization and riots in prison

Abstract

The methods of adaptation to prison isolation of prisoners sentenced to short and long-term sentences differ significantly. The latter, after
the stage of initial rebellion, often develop (though not always) constructive coping strategies.
Based on his own field research regarding adaptation to prison isolation of Polish long-term prisoners,the author reflects upon which methods of adaptation (on the basis of Ervin Goffman’s typology) may be referred to as “good” and which as “bad” ones (and from whose point of view).

Author

• Kamil Miszewski, University of Warsaw