# Four ways that the “inmate social code” plays the daily life of inmates
This essay will explain four ways in which the ‘inmate social code’ influences the daily lives of prisoners. The inmate social code is an unwritten, informal set of rules and values that develops within a prison population. It functions as a guide for behaviour, helping prisoners to navigate the complex social world of the institution and cope with the hardships of incarceration, often described by Gresham Sykes as the “pains of imprisonment” (Sykes, 1958). The code provides a framework for social interaction that exists in opposition to the formal rules imposed by the prison authorities. Its influence can be seen in how inmates interact with staff, manage their own behaviour, engage in economic exchanges, and establish their social identity.
## 1. Regulating Interaction with Staff
Perhaps the most fundamental rule of the inmate social code is the prohibition on informing on fellow prisoners. This maxim, often expressed as ‘don’t be a grass’ or ‘don’t rat’, is central to maintaining a sense of solidarity among the inmate population against the prison administration (Sykes, 1958). In daily life, this means that an inmate who witnesses another breaking a prison rule, engaging in illicit activity, or fighting with another prisoner is expected to remain silent. Cooperating with officers by providing information is considered the ultimate betrayal and can result in severe consequences, ranging from complete social ostracism to serious physical violence. This rule creates a wall of silence that complicates the work of prison officers, as it limits their access to information and reinforces the ‘us versus them’ dynamic that characterises many prison environments.
## 2. Managing Personal Conduct and Emotions
The inmate code dictates that a prisoner should ‘do your own time’ and ‘don’t lose your head’. This means an inmate should mind their own business, avoid interfering in the affairs of others, and maintain emotional control by not showing signs of weakness, such as fear or sadness (Sykes, 1958). In the high-stress environment of a prison, which Erving Goffman (1961) termed a ‘total institution’, appearing vulnerable can make an inmate a target for bullying and exploitation. Therefore, the daily performance of toughness and self-reliance is a key survival strategy. This aspect of the code encourages a very individualistic and emotionally detached way of serving a sentence, where prisoners try to remain inconspicuous and avoid any entanglements that could lead to trouble, thereby making their time in prison more predictable and manageable.
## 3. Structuring Inmate Economies
An informal economy thrives in most prisons, involving the trade and loan of goods like tobacco, food, and other canteen items. The inmate code provides the rules for these exchanges, encapsulated in the maxim ‘don’t exploit other inmates’ (Sykes, 1958). A prisoner is expected to be fair in their dealings and, crucially, to honour any debts they incur. In an environment where official currency is absent, reputation and trust are paramount. A failure to repay a debt is a serious violation of the code and can lead to sanctions, including violence, as there are no formal mechanisms for contract enforcement. This rule therefore creates a basic structure of predictable and reliable exchange, allowing a degree of economic activity to take place while discouraging predatory behaviour that could destabilise the prison’s social order. Being seen as someone who cannot be trusted in these exchanges brands an inmate as a ‘sucker’ and lowers their social standing significantly.
## 4. Establishing Social Status and Identity
Adherence to the inmate social code is the primary means by which prisoners establish their social status and identity within the institution. The code creates a clear social hierarchy. Those who faithfully follow its rules – by being tough, reliable, and loyal to other inmates – are known as ‘right guys’ or ‘real men’ and command respect from their peers (Sykes, 1958). Conversely, those who violate the code, such as informers (‘grasses’) or those who are easily exploited (‘suckers’), fall to the bottom of the social ladder and face contempt and exclusion. This informal status system runs parallel to the formal system imposed by the prison. While the classic code described by Sykes still holds influence, more recent research in UK prisons suggests it has become more fragmented, with different prisoner groups adhering to modified versions of the code (Crewe, 2009). Nonetheless, a prisoner’s daily life, level of safety, and social relationships are heavily shaped by their position within this inmate-defined hierarchy.
In conclusion, the inmate social code is a powerful force that profoundly shapes the daily experiences of prisoners. It operates as an informal system of governance that dictates how inmates should interact with prison staff, manage their emotions and behaviour, conduct economic transactions, and establish their social standing. By demanding loyalty to the inmate group, emotional stoicism, fairness in dealings, and a clear rejection of the authorities’ values, the code provides a framework for survival and creates a distinct social world behind prison walls.
## References
- Crewe, B. (2009) The Prisoner Society: Power, Adaptation and Social Life in an English Prison. Oxford University Press.
- Goffman, E. (1961) Asylums: Essays on the Social Situation of Mental Patients and Other Inmates. Anchor Books.
- Sykes, G. M. (1958) The Society of Captives: A Study of a Maximum Security Prison. Princeton University Press.
