In Search of Securities: Care Work in Taiwanese Prisons

• In Event: Critical Prison Research

Abstract

Prisons primarily serve as deterrents and punitive institutions for those who commit crimes. However, little attention has been given to the care needs of individuals within these facilities. Research often focuses on the care provided by prison staff and the challenges they face, neglecting the ways prisoners care for each other and themselves. By combining insights from critical criminology and relational ethnography, I explore the reciprocal nature of care by prisons and prisoners, shedding light on the diverse forms of care behind bars.

Based on ethnographic studies and interviews conducted in Taiwanese correctional facilities since 2022, I reveal the intricate network of care within these institutions. Prison staff are tasked with various responsibilities outlined by strict regulations and division of labor, while prisoners also contribute to care practices. Many inmates receive training or assignments related to caregiving, employing compassion and shared prisoner-hood while navigating their roles within the prison hierarchy. Their efforts aim to ensure physical, mental, carceral, and social security, although they may also encounter conflicts and violence amidst these complexities. Overall, the multifaceted nature of security within prisons both supports prisoners' well-being and exposes them to potential risks.

Author

• Ting-She Chang, National Taiwan University