Assault in prison. The 'victim's' contribution

Assaults in prison occur for diverse reasons. Understanding the role of the victim can help to explain the assault. In this article, concepts developed to analyse the victim's contribution to crimes outside prison are applied to interpersonal violence within penal institutions. A close examinat...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Edgar, Kimmett (Author)
Contributors: O'Donnell, Ian
Format: Electronic/Print Article
Language:English
Published: 1998
In: The British journal of criminology
Year: 1998, Volume: 38, Issue: 4, Pages: 635-650
Online Access: Volltext (doi)
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Availability in Tübingen:Present in Tübingen.
IFK: In: Z 7
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Summary:Assaults in prison occur for diverse reasons. Understanding the role of the victim can help to explain the assault. In this article, concepts developed to analyse the victim's contribution to crimes outside prison are applied to interpersonal violence within penal institutions. A close examination of 96 prison assaults showed how activities which are considered routine in custody increased the risk of assault. Victims contributed to their victimization through facilitation or precipitation, by gaining a reputation for vulnerability, and by increasing the aggressor's sense of impunity. The participants' interpretations of events showed that there may be good reasons for an inmate deliberately putting himself at risk of being attacked
ISSN:0007-0955
DOI:10.1093/bjc/38.4.635