What's Cookin'?: An Analysis of Food as a Method of Control in the Penal System

<p>According to Garland (2001), the U.S. correctional system is a reflection of the culture of control that exists in American society. One way the correctional system exerts control is through food. This concept partnered with Foucault’s ideas about the evolution of punishment and the criminal justice system as an institution creates the theoretical foundation for food as a method of control in the correctional system.</p> <p>Through quantitative and qualitative analysis, this study examined food as a method of control in three southern Mississippi jails in order to understand how food is a contested space for control between jail staff and inmates. After interviewing and surveying inmates and staff, the researcher was able to propose a model in which inmates and staff use food as a method of control, but mostly indirectly. Both inmates and staff use food in order to shape identity. The results of this research can be used to influence correctional food best practices.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters Thesis

Year dc:date.available

2019

Author dc:creator

• Livengood, Zoe

Contributors dc:contributor

• William W. Johnson
• Joshua Hill
• Laura Gulledge

• correctional food
• food as control
• Criminology and Criminal Justice
• Food Studies

Repository record dc:identifier

https://aquila.usm.edu/masters_theses/657

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:aquila.usm.edu:masters_theses-1713