Social Structure Crumbling in Pelican Bay

Social Structure Crumbling in Pelican Bay

For this assignment, the Pelican Bay State Prison: War Zone video was chosen to analyze the social structure theory involved within the prison. The types of social structures that have developed within this prison will be explained along with how the prisoners adapt to the social structure. In assessing all of the problems involved with this social structure, possible ramifications for attempting to change the social policy will be discussed. This paper will give a clear picture of how little can be done to a social structure that is so prone for violence, that even death cannot change the behavior, it only makes the behavior worse.

In more recent years, Pelican Bay State Prison located in Crescent City, California, has received national media attention on more than one occasion. This trend started back in February 24, 2000 when a prison riot between African American and Hispanic inmates erupted on a recreational yard. The result of this riot left an inmate dead, 19 others wounded, and a total of 89 manufactured weapons recovered (Wallace, Podger, & Van Derbeken, 2000).

In 2011, Pelican Bay prisoners began a statewide prison hunger strike. This hunger strike was directly related to the 2000 riot followed by recurring violent attacks on inmates. Because of this violence, all of the gang leaders were placed into the Secure Housing Unit, otherwise known as the SHU or Isolation. These gang leaders have remained in the SHU since the riot of 2000. Other prisoners have also been added to this list for their involvement in gang activity, violent acts, and serious rule violations.

During these hunger strikes, the prisoners were attempting to get their gang leaders removed from the SHU and placed back into general population. Additionally, the prisoners were striking for more nutritious meals, eliminating the debriefing process when being removed.