Prison Visitation and Misconduct in Dutch Prisons

• In Event: The Impact of Social Support During & After Imprisonment

Abstract

Scholarship suggests that social support during imprisonment may impact prisoners’ misconduct. More specifically, through visitation inmates experience support from family and friends which may reduce feelings of stress, loss and isolation during incarceration and help inmates adjust better to prison life. This increased ability to cope with the pains of imprisonment allows inmates to avoid conflict, thus reducing the likelihood of infractions. In addition visitation allows prisoners to maintain or strength pro-social bonds which can foster pro-social behavior, including behavior within the institution, therefore lowering levels of misconduct. However, findings on the relationship between visitation and misconduct are very mixed. Scholars have noted that visits can result in conflict and increased feelings of loss, which could increase infractions after visits. Moreover, the type of visitor and patterns of visitation may also impact misconduct. The consequences of visitation on misconduct are thus contingent on aspects of the visitation experience. This study will examine the relationship between visitation and inmate misconduct in Dutch prisons. In doing so theoretically relevant factors concerning visitation (ex. type of visitor, type of visit) and misconduct (ex. criminal history, composition of prisoners) will be included. Findings and implications for research and policy will be discussed.

Authors

• Maria Berghuis, Leiden University

• Hanneke Palmen, Leiden University

• Paul Nieuwbeerta, Leiden University