Analysing the Romanian Prison Experience - Stories beyond Plot Tyranny

• In Event: Narrative Criminology 2: Gangs, organized crime and prisons

Abstract

While there is a global obsession with prison stories, research on the prison experience in Romania remains limited. This study is the first to employ a narrative design within the context of Romanian prison research. Grounded in the Narrative Criminology movement and narrative analysis methods, I argue that data should not be presented as a cherry-picked collection of copied and pasted quotes but as stories that compellingly represent a facet of the data that answers the research question.

Data presentation in narrative research often follows the tradition of sandwiching extensive quotes or interview excerpts between the researcher’s analysis and discussion. In contrast, I propose crafting stories based on the factual information provided by participants while drawing upon their style and literary techniques. Although the narrative turn in research advocates for diverse methods of constructing participant stories, my approach focused on crafting immersive stories, moving beyond the constraints of a plot.

Instead of forcing the construction of a plot or adhering to a particular narrative genre that requires a type of plot, I have prioritised 'situation', which was more appropriated for my study because my in-depth interviews were an array of 'prison situations' which participants considered relevant to share with me. By rejecting plot, I rejected the rigid adherence to traditional plot mandates, which liberated my stories from artificial arcs, allowing them to breathe and unfold in alignment with their unique rhythms. This approach resulted in layered, nuanced, and emotion-charged stories, inviting the audience into a world of genuinely uncertain outcomes.

Besides storytelling, my analysis offers a new perspective to data immersion guided by Japanese principles, making a case for data listening over transcription, and embedding reflexivity throughout.

Author

• Daniela Irina Stadniciuc, Liverpool John Moores University