An interpretative phenomenological analysis of prisoners’ experience of riotous behaviour in an adult male prison
| Published date | 05 August 2014 |
| Date | 05 August 2014 |
| Pages | 203-215 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JFP-07-2013-0038 |
| Author | Niamh Kennedy |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Criminology & forensic psychology,Forensic practice |
An interpretative phenomenological
analysis of prisoners’ experience of
riotous behaviour in an adult male prison
Niamh Kennedy
Niamh Kennedy is a Forensic
Psychologist, based at
Kneesworth House Hospital,
Cambridge, UK.
Abstract
Purpose – Prison violence generates much public interest with concerns for the financial costs, staff safety
and public safety. The purpose of this paper is to explore the experience of riotous behaviour from the
perspective of prisoners in a maximum secure adult prison. It also seeks gather information and to generate
discussion on areas for future research.
Design/methodology/approach – A purposive sampling method and in-depth semi-structured interviews
were carried out. Interpretative phenomenological analysis identified super ordinate themes and related
sub-themes within the participants’ narratives. Emergent themes were then considered in relation to the
theories and concepts that underpinned and connected them.
Findings – Super ordinate themes emerged centred around the subject of social processing and
relationships. Prisoners emphasised the role of prisoner-staff relationships in feeling valued as part of
the social structure and considered riotous behaviour the best method of communication at that time. Social
comparison highlighted the value they placed in being part of the prisoner culture and the nostalgic nature of
the riotous behaviour for them. It lends support to earlier theory on prison adjustment and social
psychological explanations for rioting.
Research limitations/implications – It is not assumed that the findings of this study can be universally
applied given the sample size and the idiosyncratic nature of participants’ experiences. This research may
provide greater insight into the motivational factors related to individuals involved in riotous behaviour. With
such insight prison staff may be more able to consider whether prisoners’ needs are being sufficiently met to
help prevent such behaviour in the future.
Practical implications – This research may help inform training on the identification and management of
potential riots. With insight into the individual motivational factors prison staff may be more able to consider
whether prisoners’ needs are being sufficiently met to help prevent such behaviour in the future.
Originality/value – This paper reports on the prisoners’ individual experience of being involved in riotous
behaviour. Due to the paucity of literature on this behaviour, this exploratory study is intended to add to
existing knowledge.
Keywords Interpretative phenomenological analysis, Social identity,Riotous behaviour, Deprivation theory,
Situational theory, Importation theory
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Prison riots are not a recent phenomenon; it has always been with us even though some
of its elements and characteristics have undergone notable changes in recent times. Prison
riots draw significant media attention and generate concern about the financial cost for the
community, staff safety and challenges public faith in the criminal justice system. There are
a number of challenges in attempting to study prison riots. Most often they can only be studied
post hoc, through simulated exercises or in the laboratory. Access to official records and
participants is also not straightforward with overlapping terms used to describe the behaviour,
DOI 10.1108/JFP-07-2013-0038 VOL. 16 NO. 3 2014, pp. 203-215, CEmerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2050-8794
j
JOURNAL OF FORENSIC PRACTICE
j
PAGE 203
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