Final answer:
The US prison system reflects the principles of labeling theory by potentially socializing individuals into a career of secondary deviance, where being labeled as deviant alters self-concept and behavior. Controversial practices in the justice system and political influences have also contributed to the rise in prison populations, emphasizing the role of societal reactions in the continuation of deviant behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
The prison system in the US often demonstrates the theories related to the sociology of deviance, specifically labeling theory. This theory suggests that individuals become deviant as a result of being labeled as such by society, which in turn can affect their self-concept and behavior. Prisons can socialize individuals into a career of secondary deviance, where an individual's actions are labeled as deviant and the person begins to change their self-concept and behavior to align with this label. An example of this is a former inmate who is labeled by others as a criminal, and due to this label, may continue to engage in criminal activity because they have adopted this identity. This emphasizes how societal reactions to deviance can perpetuate a cycle of nonconformity.
Techniques of Neutralization, studied by Sykes and Matza, explore how individuals cope with deviant labels, often leading to a form of rationalization or justification for their behavior. The controversial use of prisons and the criminal justice system highlights debates around rehabilitation versus punishment. Additionally, the cultural politics in the US, such as the 'war on drugs' and the election of justice system officials, have influenced the increase in prison populations. Edwin Lemert's distinction between primary and secondary deviance shows how patterns of behavior are affected by social responses to deviance.