Abstract
This article analyzes the relationship between the social structure of a southern penitentiary and the character of its Christmas festival at two points in time, one prior to and one after court-ordered reforms. Prior to the reforms Christmas involved a vibrant collective celebration during which the normally brutal system of inmate control was temporarily relaxed and both inmates and guards engaged in a wide range of unusual behaviors. Recent extensive reforms, which made the prison's system of control more bureaucratic and legalistic, were accompanied by the decline and near disappearance of the festival. The findings show that different social structures and systems of social control generate different institutional celebrations.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
