Rights‐in‐between: Resident perceptions of and accessibility to rights within restricted housing units. Issue 2 (27th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rudes, Danielle S.; Magnuson, Shannon; Ingel, Sydney; Hartwell, Taylor
• Is Part Of: Law & society review. Volume 55:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 296
• Page End: 319
• Publication Date: 2021-05-27
• Subjects: Sociological jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Droit; Société; Sociologie du droit; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 340.11505
• DOI: 10.1111/lasr.12550
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0023-9216

Abstract

Abstract: Prison laws and policies often do not explicitly state the rights and privileges for the individuals residing there. This space is a unique example of where the law‐on‐the‐books meet the law‐in‐action—a place where "law‐in‐between" operates in the hands of street‐level workers. Using data collected from interviews with restricted housing unit residents and staff in four men's prisons, this paper examines how the law‐in‐between operates in a highly structured and punitive environment. Findings reveal agreement among residents and staff regarding general definitions and perceptions of rights, with some similarities regarding what rights are broadly. However, divergence exists in discussion of how rights are accessed in practice.