Prison Violence The Search for Recognition and Respect

This book analyses the nature, causes, logic, and culture of prison victimisation in an English young offender institution for young men aged 18-21 years old. Drawing on ethnographic and qualitative research, this book offers a comprehensive analysis of the gendered, situational, individual, and moral components of prison victimisation. It explores how wider technological, economic, policy, political, and cultural changes have altered the texture and structure of prison life and prison violence, and with what consequences. Ultimately, the book argues that high levels of prison violence are not inevitable. Rather, the prevention of prison violence requires a just, lawful, humane, and hopeful environment, and failing to create such is tragically life-changing for young prisoners.

1. The Research in Context.- 2. Researching Prison Victimisation.- 3. Understanding and Explaining Prison Victimisation.- 4. The ‘Lads’ and the ‘Nerds’: Re-examining Prisoner Roles.- 5. ‘They Prey on Weakness Here’: Machismo, Sexuality and Vulnerability.- 6. ‘Just don’t have Prison Issue’: The Prison Illicit Economy.- 7. Reducing and Preventing Victimisation: The Whole Prison Approach.- 8. Prison (In)Justice.- Conclusion: Transforming a Violent Prison.

Kate Gooch is Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor in Criminology at the University of Bath, UK.