The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of long term imprisonment on
inmates. Our prime interest have ben to identify if eventual effects are considered
positive or negative or even a combination of the two. To answer these questions
we conducted observations of convicts in a high security prison in Sweden. The
collected data were followed by interviews with individuals who have spent
considerable time behind bars. We discovered several different behavioral effects
whilst conducting our study. Most of them indicated negatively by alienating and
suppressing the individual's development, distancing them further away from the
community. Inmates tend to alter their behavior substantially when being locked up
for longer periods of time in small places with other criminals. Hence their
identities change to fit into the environment. Some individuals develop
communicational skills to adapt and manage their lifestyle in prison. In general,
incarcerated individuals develop special social skills that are crucially needed in
prison environment but tend to be redundant in the social community.
Key words - differential association, social bonds, communication, identity