This book examines the control of problem behaviour in prison from a situational crime prevention perspective. Following the success of situational crime prevention in community settings, Richard Wortley argues that the same principles can be used to help reduce the levels of assault, rape, self-harm, drug use, escape and collective violence in our prison systems. This pioneering new study proposes a two-stage model of situational prevention that moves beyond traditional opportunity-reduction: it attempts to reconcile the contradictory urges to control prison disorder by 'tightening-up' and hardening the prison environment on the one hand, and 'loosening-off' and normalising it on the other. Combining a comprehensive synthesis and evaluation of existing research with original investigation and ground-breaking conclusions, Situational Prison Control will be of great interest to academics and practitioners both in the areas of correction and crime prevention more generally.

Wortley examines the control of prison disorder through the application of situational crime prevention principles.

About the Author
Richard Wortley is Head of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith University, Brisbane. He has a PhD in psychology from Macquarie University, Sydney, and began his career as a prison psychologist in the New South Wales prison system, a position he held for nine years. It was his experience in prisons that convinced Dr Wortley of the crucial role of the immediate environment in shaping human behaviour in general and prisoner behaviour in particular. During this period he was involved in the establishment of the first unit management facility in an Australian prison (Bathurst Gaol), and the success of these units in reducing violence showed him that positive change in prison was possible. Since taking up a university position he has taught and researched in the areas of corrections and crime prevention. Recent articles have appeared in Law and Human Behaviour, the Journal of Applied Social Psychology, Crime Prevention Studies and Studies in Crime and Crime Prevention. He is currently National Chair of the Australian College of Forensic Psychologists.

Reviews
"...Wortley's pragmatic approach makes this a particularly interesting book. His application of the situational crime prevention strategy to concrete, everyday, real prison management dilemmas makes this a different approach in its own right. Wortley deftly moves from theory to application, all within the framework of 'opportunity reduction'". Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare



Book Information
ISBN 9780521804189
Author Richard Wortley
Format Hardback
Page Count 268
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 530g
Dimensions(mm) 237mm * 157mm * 22mm