A Comparative Study of Prison Workers' Self-legitimacy

• In Event: Prison Policy and Practices

Abstract

Establishing and maintaining legitimacy in a coercive prison environment presents a significant challenge for prison workers. Drawing on the data from a survey of 765 Slovenian prison workers collected in 2016 and 2022, this study aims to test the stability of prison workers' self-legitimacy and willingness to use force upon prisoners. Multivariate analyses showed that relations with prisoners and the internalisation of subcultural norms influenced the self-legitimacy of prison workers in both periods. Relations with colleagues and satisfaction with payment also influenced prison workers' self-legitimacy in 2016. The stress level and demographic characteristics (gender, work experience, and workplace) influenced prison workers' willingness to use force in both observed periods. Subculture of prison workers and age influenced prison workers' willingness to use force in 2016, while self-legitimacy, relations with colleagues and the level of education had an impact in 2022. Results indicate that traditional »core variables« (relations with colleagues, supervisors' procedural justice, and audience legitimacy) used to explore legitimacy in criminal justice have limited influence on prison workers' self-legitimacy and willingness to use force. Overall, findings suggest that the self-legitimacy of prison workers, based on prison workers-prisoners relations, is relatively stable in different time periods.

Authors

• Rok Hacin, University of Maribor

• Gorazd Meško, University of Maribor