Question

An inmate enters prison and is stripped of his or her clothing and advised that from this point on he or she will be referred to only by a number. This is an example of

a) Social integration
b) Dehumanization
c) Restorative justice
d) Normative influence

Answer 1

The act of an inmate being stripped of their personal clothing and referred by a number represents dehumanization during a degradation ceremony. This is a part of resocialization within a total institution such as a prison, where individual identities are stripped to conform to the institution's norms.

Step-by-step explanation:

The scenario described of an inmate being stripped of clothing and being referred to only by a number is an example of dehumanization. This process occurs as part of the degradation ceremony, which is a key component of resocialization within a total institution like a prison. Resocialization in total institutions involves stripping individuals of their previous identities and preparing them for new roles, which can often be experienced as a loss of identity or personal dignity.

In the context of a prison, the degradation ceremony includes the loss of personal freedoms, privacy, and possessions, forcing individuals to adopt the identity assigned by the institution. This process is intended to facilitate the integration of the individual into the institution's structure, but it can be experienced as a form of dehumanization. Whether it is entering a prison, the military, or other total institutions, new members must give up markers of their old identity and adhere to the norms and rules of the new environment.