Reference no: EM133762240

Assignment:

Crewe uses the term "tightness" to describe the experiences of prisoners to convey the pervasive sense of tension, anxiety, and psychological burden that characterizes imprisonment. This term encapsulates the constant pressure and uncertainty prisoners feel, as they are always wary of making mistakes and facing consequences. "Tightness" is used because it effectively illustrates how power operates in prisons-both closely and anonymously-like an invisible harness that controls and restricts prisoners' actions and thoughts. This concept goes beyond physical confinement, highlighting the psychological control and self-regulation that prisoners are subjected to.

Over time, "tightness" helps explain changes in how prisoners experience imprisonment in the UK and similar countries by showing how the nature of control has evolved. Instead of just physical constraints, modern imprisonment increasingly involves psychological manipulation and self-surveillance, making the experience of imprisonment more about internalized control and less about overt physical restrictions. This shift reflects broader changes in penal policies and practices, emphasizing the mental and emotional dimensions of incarceration.