Institute of Criminological and Sociological Research, Belgrade
Received: June 2, 2021
Accepted: October 11, 2021
UDK: 316.034:343.811
Pages: 59-76
The increasingly intensive focus of professional scientific attention on the study of prison social climate in recent decades is extremely important because the research results indicate that prison characteristics (physical, architectural, social, organizational, etc.) mediate between offenders and rehabilitation or therapeutic measures. In other words, the social or institutional climate can potentially facilitate the successful rehabilitation of convicts or hinder their progress. A review of the literature reveals numerous different terminological definitions and definitions of the concept of prison social climate, so it is often defined as the material, social and emotional state of a given unit and involves the interaction between these factors. General conceptualizations of social climate include relational climate, psychosocial environment, social atmosphere, social environment, and classroom atmosphere. The social climate can also be measured by assessing the actual, desirable, and expected social climate and how it is perceived by convicts, prison staff, or individuals from the community. In this paper, the author tries to shed light on the notion of prison social climate, as well as the factors that determine it. Special emphasis is placed on the perception of prison social climate by professionals, the impact that social climate has on the behavior of convicts, as well as consideration of all those aspects that arise from the work environment, type of work organization, and relationships that affect the formation of the social climate in a prison environment.
KEY WORDS: prison social climate, prison environment, convict behavior, the role of professional staff
