Victims of Circumstance: An Analysis of Institutional Climate and Vicarious Victimization During Incarceration

• In Event: Violence and Misconduct in Carceral Institutions: Patterns, Risks, and Institutional Response

Abstract

Vicarious victimization is any victimizing event which an individual experiences indirectly through observation of other people’s victimization experiences, interactions, and behaviors. Using vicarious victimization as the dependent variable, this study examines how incarcerated emerging adults experience vicarious victimization as related to the facility’s institutional climate. To understand this relationship, a series of multivariate negative binominal regression models are estimated (n = 406) that explore measures of the carceral environment regarding both the facility and its staff. Results demonstrate that facilities where respondents perceive the staff to engage in more negative behaviors are increasingly likely to report vicarious victimization. Inversely, respondents are less likely to experience vicarious victimization when the facility is perceived to be safe. Collectively, findings demonstrate a strong relationship between an incarceration facility’s institutional climate and how likely those incarcerated there are to witness violence while incarcerated. Given the current study’s findings, future correctional policies and programming should consider the substantial role of antisocial correctional staff on detained individuals’ positive or negative carceral experiences.

Author

• Alexis Galvin, Bowling Green State University