Understanding disruptive behaviour in the juvenile prison estate
| Pages | 162-170 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JFP-11-2015-0050 |
| Published date | 08 May 2017 |
| Date | 08 May 2017 |
| Author | Emma Whiteside,Carol A. Bond |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Criminology & forensic psychology,Forensic practice,Sociology,Sociology of crime & law,Law enforcement/correctional,Public policy & environmental management,Policing,Criminal justice |
Understanding disruptive behaviour in the
juvenile prison estate
Emma Whiteside and Carol A. Bond
Abstract
Purpose –Serious incidents of violent disruption within the national young-persons’prison estate endanger
offenders, staff and visitors and have a significant impact. The purpose of this paper is to explore the function
of and factors influencing violent disruptive behaviour.
Design/methodology/approach –In total, 21 young people (n¼21) with a history of violence in custody
were administered semi-structured interviews to explore the reasons for their behaviour. The data were
explored using thematic analysis.
Findings –Six themes were identified: attitude and propensity for violence, perceptions and intolerance of
others,consequencesof violent behaviour,the physicalenvironment,previous indicators,and protectivefactors.
Research limitations/implications –The study is reliant on self-report and thus may reflect biases.
The presence of a recording device may have had an impact on responses. Logistical practicalities meant
participants were approached via an intermediary which may have impacted on a willingness to participate.
Practical implications –Several practical implications are identified: cognitive skills programmes which
encourage consequential thinking, perspective-taking, communication skills and exploring alternative
problem-solving strategies are of value. Shouting through doors and windows is a major source of
provocation and should be addressed. The induction process provides opportunities for equality-awareness
work. Gang membership issues are a major cause of violence, and attitudes around this should be
addressed. Building trust between staff and young people helps reduce problems. Systems to provide
access to facilities and to provide support to cope with stress and isolation may be of value.
Originality/value –This study uses a qualitative approach to exploring young people’s views on prison
violence. The findings reflect previousresearch but strengthen the perspective that violence in prison serves
several purposesfor those involved and that violence-reduction strategiesmust be multi-modal to be effective.
Keywords Protective factors, Attitudes, Prisons, Disruptive behaviour, Juveniles, Juvenile violence,
Prison violence
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
The effects of violence within prison have wide ranging political, financial and safety implications.
The Prison Service has a duty to ensure that all prisoners are held in a safe environment
(HM Prison Service, 2004) and a key task of the young-persons’estate is rehabilitation.
To support this aim the current research was conducted at the request of NOMS’Young
People’s Group to identify the key reasons for violent disruptive behaviour amongst young
people in custody and to consider strategies to help reduce this.
There has been a significant amount of research, mainly about adult prisoners, relating to prison
violence which can be grouped under the following headings.
Individual characteristics
Bottoms (1999) argues that prisoners’behaviour is influenced by their personalities and the
values that they bring with them into custody. Individuals with personality traits such as
callousness, lack of affect and guilt are likely to be aggressors (Cornell et al., 1996). Links have
also been made between individual characteristics and age. Young people in particular lack the
Received 9 November 2015
Revised 5 February 2016
12 August 2016
27 September 2016
Accepted 28 September 2016
This study was completed in 2012
and prior to the reorganisation of
the Young People’s Estate into a
single functional unit. All the
findings have now been
incorporated into the services
provided to Young People in
Custody.
Emma Whiteside is a Chartered
and Registered Forensic
Psychologist at the Psychology
Department, HM Prison
Service, Rochdale, UK.
Carol A. Bond is a NW Lead
Psychologist at the Psychology
Department, HM Prison
Service, Preston, UK.
PAGE162
j
JOURNAL OF FORENSIC PRACTICE
j
VOL. 19 NO. 2 2017, pp. 162-170, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2050-8794 DOI 10.1108/JFP-11-2015-0050
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