Preying on Prisoners: Using Target Congruence to Determine Characteristics that Increase Risk for Sexual Violence

• In Event: Risks of Sexual Violence

Abstract

According to target congruence theory, particular individuals are at elevated risk for victimization. While this theory has been tested in various capacities, it has been minimally employed when looking at the prison inmate population. We seek to determine the characteristics of inmates that are at the greatest risk of victimization. To do so, we will be utilizing the National Inmate Survey data. Connections are drawn between all three concepts of target congruence: target antagonism, target vulnerability, and target gratifiability using multiple operationalizations. This study hopes to expand on past research while refining the concepts of target congruence that have been applied to inmate populations previously. While the number of victimizations may seem minute, there is much victimization that goes unreported; thus, having knowledge about characteristics of inmates at-risk of victimization will allow us to better protect these individuals.

Authors

• Kathryn M Elvey, Plymouth State University

• Danielle Carkin, Stonehill College