What is the term for rules that define the behavior expected of inmates?

The term that best fits the description of rules defining the behavior expected of inmates is referred to as the inmate code. This concept encompasses the unwritten rules and expectations that operationalize the social order within the prison environment. The inmate code typically dictates how inmates should behave towards one another, staff, and the institution itself, reflecting a set of values and norms that guide interpersonal relationships within the correctional facility.

Inmate codes often emphasize values such as loyalty, respect, and the non-reporting of fellow inmates’ violations to authorities, which can create a complex social dynamic within prisons. This code is crucial for understanding inmate behavior and the informal social structure that exists in correctional institutions. It represents a significant aspect of the prison culture and is often learned through socialization among incarcerated individuals.

Other terms, while related, do not capture the specific social dynamics represented by the inmate code. For instance, correction protocols are more formal guidelines related to operational procedures, institutional norms may refer to broader accepted behaviors and practices within the facility not specific to inmate behavior, and prison regulations encompass the official rules set by the institution, which can be more formalized and legally binding than the inmate code.