Citation

Howard MVA, Corben SP, Raudino A, Galouzis JJ. Int. J. Offender Ther. Comp. Criminol. 2020; 64(10-11): 1091-1113.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0306624X19871633

PMID

32620071

Abstract

Theoretical models of victimisation emphasise the importance of context. However, few studies have assessed the influence of prison environmental variables on inmate harm in physical assaults. This study used a multilevel model approach to examine individual- and facility-level factors associated with the incidence of assaults among inmates housed at correctional centres in New South Wales, Australia.

RESULTS supported proposals that institutional routines and conditions may have an influence on risk. Inmates, who spent less time in employment, were placed in special housing arrangements such as protection, or were located in sites with higher security designations or longer routine hours out of cells were more likely to be harmed in assaults. In addition, more than 40% of variance in assaults was associated with differences across correctional centre sites. We draw on routine activities theory to explain relationships between different prison contexts, provision of guardianship, and exposure to motivated offenders in assault outcomes.

Language: en

Keywords

victimisation; inmate assault; inmate violence; institutional misconduct; prison environment; routine activities