Final answer:
Prisons use special housing units for resocialization, solitary confinement for rule violations, and rehabilitation programs such as theater practice to aid in the development of social skills and to help reduce recidivism. These units serve as critical elements in shaping inmates' behaviors and attitudes within the context of total institutions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prisons use special housing units to perform a variety of activities aimed at resocialization, rehabilitation, and providing a structured environment. These units can be used for solitary confinement to isolate inmates who are considered a threat to the safety of the facility or to punish inmates for rule violations. This method of isolation dates back to the creation of penitentiaries for the purpose of moral reformation through isolation from social vices.
Moreover, special housing units are employed in the rehabilitation process through programs such as theater practice, which assists incarcerated individuals in developing social skills and reducing recidivism by fostering self-worth and positive attitude changes. Educational programs are also held in these units to aid inmates in acquiring new skills and improving their lives post-release.
These units are necessary elements within the broader context of total institutions, which, like prisons, are designed to significantly control the daily lives of inmates, enforcing strict rules and often exerting a significant influence over their behavior and attitudes. The debate over the role of these institutions and their methods continues to stir controversy regarding the balance between punishment and rehabilitation within the criminal justice system.