According to the definition provided in work of the American sociologist Erving Goffman, a total institution is “ a place of Résidence or work where a great number of individuals, placed in the same situation, world cups outside for one relatively long period, carry out together a cloistered life whose methods explicitly and are rigorously regulated ”. Consequently, the Prison S, concentration camps, Asylum S and Convent S, but also the Boarding school S, Orphanage S, etc, can be regarded as total institutions. Those destroy partially the identity of the recluses, but they are generally capable of clever adaptations.

Characteristics

• Coupure of the outside world
• All the needs are dealt with by the institution
• bureaucratic Operating process
• Contacts between limited recluses and supervisors

References