Prison Staff: Occupational Role in a Context of Prison Reform

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

The role of prison staff remains almost unexplored in Latin America. In spite of its lack of visibility, prison labour has a tremendous impact not only on prison officers’ life, but also on inmates living conditions. In fact, prison guards are a very specific occupational group that must develop extremely subtle skills. However, they are generally poorly trained, badly paid, and seldom acknowledged by authorities and public opinion.
In Uruguay, a prison reform is taking place, which consists of, among other changes, substituting the police staff by civilians. In this context, this poster aims to present the main challenges related to this reform, emphasizing: i) the inherent contradiction between security and control on one side, and rehabilitation and care on the other (Liebling, 2011, Nylander et al., 2011; Tait, 2011); ii) the way in which authority is exercised through human relationships (Crewe, 2011; Liebling & Price, 2001; Liebling, 2011); iii) the role of training and practical knowledge in the development of skills required for the task (Arnold, 2008; Bensimon, 2004; Cuaresma & Nicolás, 2013; Coyle, 2009); iv) the distance between law in books and law in action (Chauvenet et al ., 1993; Bottoms & Tankebe, 2012).

Author

• Ana Vigna, Universidad de la República