P070. Living in fear? A gendered perspective on security and vulnerability in prison

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Abstract

The perception of security within prison environments significantly influences inmates' well-being. These two aspects are inversely related; a decline in perceived security corresponds with a diminished perception of quality of life. This study will analyse the findings of a report based on research carried out in the three Basque prisons, which is set to be published in 2025. We will explore perceptions of (in)security through a gender-sensitive lens. Gender disparities may signify inequalities within the prison experience, which have substantial implications for human rights and prison policies.

At Zaballa prison, the largest in the Basque Country, 44% of female inmates feel security is adequate, while 40% have a negative view. Women's opinions on security are more polarised, unlike male inmates who have a more consistent perspective. Nevertheless, a significant proportion of the prison population, both men and women, report a fear of being beaten, verbally abused, or threatened by another inmate. This concern is even more pronounced among female prisoners at Zaballa, with 76% sharing this fear. Interestingly, this figure aligns with the perception among women prisoners in Zaballa about the infrequency of fights within the prison population. This suggests that fear is not necessarily linked to the actual level of physical confrontation but rather to other psychological or structural factors. Women may perceive the prison environment as hostile or threatening, which heightens their sense of vulnerability. The study reveals an apparent contradiction that invites reflection on the relationship between fear and objective security in prison. The women in Zaballa seem to feel unsafe despite not witnessing many fights, indicating that violence in prison is not confined solely to physical confrontations but can also manifest in other, less visible, yet equally distressing forms. Ultimately, conflict in prison appears to revolve around the issue of drugs.

Author

• Iñigo Gordon Benito, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)