Supermax prisons in the consciousness of prisoners

Prison administrators claim that supermax prisons are essential tools in the management of unruly prisoners and that these facilities act as a deterrent to prisoners contemplating violence. Pelican Bay, known in prison jargon as "Up North," is California's supermax prison. This article states that not only does Pelican Bay not deter, it has created a new standard of toughness, an upper class of prisoners whose survival at Pelican Bay affords them high status. This status allows them great influence on daily events in the prison. Instead of isolating the most negative elements, the supermax has simply raised the bar on toughness. California now has a new breed of prisoners who have survived the trial by fire and are afraid of nothing. Suggestions are offered to ease the conversation away from the supermax and toward programs that might actually work on the ground. Ask the prisoners what they think will work. Include prisoners in designing and implementing smarter programs.