Characterisation of the phenomenon of informal structure of criminal subculture

Publikacja recenzowana / Peer-reviewed publication Prison sentence used in Polish penal system is one of the most widely criticised punishments used for criminals. The convicted are sent into prisons or detention centres, which makes them (the incarcerated) even more vulnerable to committing a crime due to their isolation and solitary confi nement. In this way, a distinct subculture is created. It is conditioned by many factors which determine its size, form, norms and rules enforced by the prisoners. The phenomenon of prison subculture causes a wide range of negative consequences, e.g. self-aggression; aggression towards other inmates, prison offi cers, or even family; mental or physical abuse; mental or sexual disorders. Such situations have a negative infl uence on the process of resocialisation, because they are destructive for the personality of a prisoner, especially for a juvenile delinquent as his/her decision making possibilities related to themselves are limited. Therefore, one might venture to say that the bigger the infl uence of subculture norms and rules, the more disturbed the process of resocialisation.