Making sense of violence in men’s prison

• In Event: The Social Ecology of Violence and Safety in Prisons

Abstract

The incidence of physical fighting in men’s prisons is widely acknowledged as a significant concern for the safety of both incarcerated individuals and staff. While a substantial body of literature exists on the individual and institutional factors contributing to what is often labelled ‘misconduct’ and ‘victimisation’ in men’s prisons, research attention to violence itself remains limited. Specifically, there is a lack of understanding regarding the nature, meaning, and specific dynamics— the on-the-ground realities— of violent incidents in prison. Moreover, the assumption that violence inherently poses a safety threat has not been adequately examined from a critical perspective. The primary objective of this paper is to examine this assumption, questioning if and to ‘whom’ violence ‘is’ a safety problem in prison environments. To achieve this aim, we analyse empirical data gathered from interviews conducted with (formerly) incarcerated individuals and staff members across various prisons in the Netherlands. Our findings reveal that violence in prison encompasses multiple, sometimes contrasting, meanings and functions. While it poses a threat to safety (for some), it can also serve to establish and maintain order within the institution (for others). While staff may view fighting as a dangerous, fundamental breach of social order, incarcerated individuals themselves sometimes perceive their fighting as competitive and even ‘entertainable’. In light of these insights, this paper challenges prevailing (normative) assumptions and proposes a new lens for understanding the meaning-making processes related to violence in prison.

Authors

• Rozalie Lekkerkerk, Leiden University

• Esther van Ginneken, Leiden University

• Dante Hoek, Leiden University