The Lifer Speaks for Himself

Abstract

This paper questions current categorization of the life-term prisoner as a member of a homogeneous group conditioned to a fatalistic existence in both thought and action. The infor mation is primarily descriptive and is taken from the per sonal documents of seven lifers, whose writings were reasonably extensive and perceptive. Six topics were selected for compari son : reaction to entering prison, socialization, time, religion, suicide, and rehabilitation. Analysis showed that lifers respond as individuals, not in any collective manner; they constitute a legal rather than a sociological group. The observations cast doubt upon the homogeneity generally ascribed to prisoners serv ing life terms.