NCJ Number
211227
Editor(s)
Jane L. Ireland
Date Published
2005
Length
224 pages
Annotation
This book on innovations in theory and research related to in-prison bullying examines the causes and effects of various types of bullying among women, young-adult, and adult inmates.
Abstract
An introductory chapter defines prison bullying, presents an overview of prison-bullying research, and notes where innovation is needed in the development of theory and research in this field. Five chapters then report on prison-bullying research that has been conducted. A study of bullying behavior among women in prison found that it generally did not involve physical aggression so much as psychological aggression designed to achieve compliant behavior by victims that serves the interests of the bullies. A review of research on the link between bullying and suicides of bullying victims in prison found such a link, albeit as one factor among many that can contribute to inmate suicidal behavior. Another chapter reports on research into the nature and function of bullying among young offenders in prison, followed by a related chapter that assesses the use of both questionnaires and focus groups in the study of bullying among imprisoned young adult offenders. A chapter then reports on a British study that compared the nature of bullying and the effectiveness of antibullying policies in a prison for young adult offenders and a prison for adults. Three chapters compose the final section of the book, which focuses on "advancing theory." One chapter in this section considers how fear explains the protective behaviors of potential and actual victims of bullying as they anticipate and respond to bullying. A second chapter in this section examines the possibility that bullying is a rational strategy for social problem-solving in prison. The concluding chapter analyzes bullying behavior in prison from the perspective of an evolutionary and biopsychosocial perspective. Chapter references and a subject index