The Inmate as the Nonperson: Examining Staff Conflict From the Inmate's Perspective. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Trammell, Rebecca; Rundle, Mackenzie
• Is Part Of: Prison journal. Volume 95:Number 4(2015:Dec.)
• Page Start: 472
• Page End: 492
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: inmate violence -- staff conflict -- nonperson -- inmate perspective; Prisons -- Periodicals; Prisons -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 365.6
• DOI: 10.1177/0032885515596516
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-8855

Abstract

Midwestern state inmates were interviewed to determine how they understand and interpret staff conflict. Qualitative analysis has shown that inmates describe being ignored or disregarded because of verbal and sometimes physical fights between staff members. While others show that those occupying a nonperson status are in a powerless position, inmates explain that this highlights the fact that staff members are not paying attention to them and this engenders inmate misconduct and contributes to a culture of disrespect.