Daily Life, Disrupted: Exploring the Challenges of Pre-Trial Custody for Prisoners and Staff

• In Event: Current Issues in Pretrial Detention and Jail Management

Abstract

This research explores daily life in pre-trial custody in provincial jails in Ontario, Canada. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 120 pre-trial detainees (60 men, 60 women), 40 staff (including correctional officers, clinical staff, and management), and field observations at four maximum-security facilities, I consider how the nature of pre-trial imprisonment poses distinct challenges for those confined to and working in provincial jails. Pre-trial imprisonment is distinctive from sentenced imprisonment, particularly in terms of the constant flow of prisoners to and from these institutions. I posit that the mobility of the pre-trial population is central to understanding the nature of daily life for both prisoners and staff in these settings. For prisoners, the churn of new arrivals and releases means the dynamics of living units are constantly shifting. New arrivals can infuse the informal economy and alter the social networks on ranges. For correctional workers, the turnover of the detainee population is a constant operational challenge. Correctional institutions must receive and house a population that is directed to them by the police and courts. Conceptually, I argue that the impact of this churn for prisoners and staff is disruptive and I explore how this shapes daily life inside these institutions.

Author

• Holly Pelvin, University of Alberta