The inmates attempt to intimidate the children in various ways. One inmate for example, become enraged when he believes one of the children is mocking him by smiling. He is forced to explain why he had to take part in the program and the inmate humiliates him by portraying him as the class clown social stereotype. .
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People were thought to be inclined toward social disorder without adequate controls in place. If groups or individuals are at a competition for resources, then they will exhibit lawless behavior. The child that stole $20 did so he did not perceive that he had enough money, so he took it from someone who did. Many of the other kids had similar stories.
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The inmates broke the law for various reasons; some were violent crimes such as murder and rape. Others had robbed or stolen. Many of the inmates believe that they had broken the law out of ignorance. Many of them reinforce the claim that if they had only had been educated in a way such as they are doing to the "delinquents," then they would not be in prison for long sentences or life.
The program inherently violates the rights of individuals and groups. One example is how an inmate reveals that they do not receive any compensation for the job they perform in the program. In conflict theory, this would be a likely outcome of a legal system which has now reduced the rights of an individual and can circumvent such rights as a minimum wage. In addition, the kids are a captive audience to a potentially traumatizing event. The hypothesis that the program would be effective in controlling delinquency did not have a scientific basis. .
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Functionalism is a theory which that everyone and everything in society has a purpose. Everything is interconnected and holds a function. Compared to conflict theory, the main focus of functionalism is that crime is inevitable "especially for certain individuals. In this view, an importance is placed on the social order.
