Exploring the approachability and accessibility of prison officers: A comparative analysis of dynamics in Belgian and Dutch Prisons

• In Event: Prison Working Group: Understanding prison officers: Roles, composition, and attitudes toward detained persons

Abstract

The centrality of prison officers to life in prison has long been acknowledged (Home Office, 1984; Liebling, 2011). Therefore, Belgium’s recent convergence towards the Dutch prison officer model, introducing a differentiation between security and supervisory roles, requires a better understanding of working practices in both countries. While some officers prioritize maintaining a professional distance for security reasons, others strive for a more approachable demeanor to foster positive relationships with incarcerated persons. However, the degree of prison officer accessibility varies, influenced by factors such as architecture, staffing levels, institutional policies, prison layout and regime. Understanding how prison officers navigate these dynamics sheds light on the complexities of their role and its impact on prison life. This presentation delves into the perceptions and experiences of prison officers regarding their accessibility and approachability within different carceral settings by using an ethnographic approach, consisting of participant observations and in-depth interviews with prison officers in two Belgian and two Dutch prisons.

Author

• Lorenz Robert Pardon, Vrije Universiteit Brussel