Living in the box: Prisoner perceptions of restrictive housing conditions

• In Event: Institutional Experiences and Misconduct: Understanding Prison Environments, Inequalities, and Reform

Abstract

Restrictive housing is a widely used yet controversial practice in the U.S. criminal justice system. Despite evidence of the potential for adverse psychological, physical, and behavioral consequences, little research has examined how incarcerated individuals perceive their conditions. This paper explores the perspectives of 112 male prisoners housed in a disciplinary segregation unit in the Oregon Department of Corrections. In-depth interviews conducted between April 2020 and July 2022 and a mixed-methods research design provide insights into prisoners’ experiences, including their treatment by correctional officers, perceived positives of restrictive housing, and suggested improvements. While restrictive housing aims to maintain institutional security, integrating prisoner perspectives can inform reform efforts to balance safety with humane treatment.

Authors

• Abigail Hayes, University of Nebraska Omaha

• Jennifer Tostlebe, University of Nebraska Omaha

• David Pyrooz, University of Colorado Boulder

• Ryan Labrecque, RTI International