Lecture 10: Experiencing imprisonment 4: minority populations Flashcards
What are some characteristics and patterns associated with women who self-harm, according to Snow (2006) and Gregory (2003)?
- Borderline PD, mood disorders, eating disorders
- Women more likely to self-harm than men
- Reflects feelings of self-disgust, powerlessness, rage, grief, depression (Snow, 2006)
- Omnipresent and competitive self-harm: ‘the mutilation marathon’ (Gregory, 2003:226-7)
What are potential challenges faced by mothers in prison, as highlighted by Baldwin in 2017?
Relationship may be ‘forever changed’ (Baldwin, 2017)
May result in loss of child to state care
What are some elements of the new approach to the criminal justice system, as outlined in the information?
The new approach involves a continued focus on early intervention and community-based solutions,
alongside a contradictory move by the government to pledge 500 new prison places in 2021.
It emphasizes a ‘whole system approach’ with gender-specific, ‘trauma-informed’ policies and practices, considering aspects like prison design, architecture, therapeutic interventions, and practical initiatives.
What significant changes occurred in Scotland’s approach to imprisonment, particularly in relation to women?
Scotland’s approach includes scrapping a £75 million super-prison, establishing the new HMP Cornton Vale with 119 places, and introducing 2 ‘community custody units’ with 32 places. Additionally, Residential Women’s Centre(s) have been introduced in Wales (and England), reflecting a shift towards a more rehabilitative and community-oriented model (see HofC, 2022; MoJ, 2022b).
What are the key observations regarding the representation of different ethnic groups among imprisoned individuals?
The BAME group is not a homogeneous group.
Black people are strongly over-represented in robbery, drugs offenses, fraud, and black-on-black gang violence.
Pakistani-heritage men are associated with child sexual grooming, drugs offenses, and fraud.
Chinese (and ‘other’) men are strongly under-represented.
Muslim prisoners represent the fastest-growing sub-population, raising concerns about radicalization to Islamist extremism.
What demographic trends and concerns emerge in the context of imprisoned people of colour?
Black individuals are over-represented in certain offenses.
Pakistani-heritage men are associated with specific offenses.
Chinese (and ‘other’) men are under-represented.
Muslim prisoners are the fastest-growing sub-population, leading to concerns about potential radicalization towards Islamist extremism.
What significant events and investigations contribute to the understanding of ‘institutional racism’ within the prison system?
The racially-motivated murder of Zahid Mubarek in 2000.
The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) investigated Mubarek’s murder and racism in three prisons in 2003, finding unlawful racial discrimination, particularly in practices.
The Keith Inquiry in 2006 identified a ‘bewildering catalogue of shortcomings,’ noting a ‘casual disregard’ for ‘explicit’ and ‘prevalent’ racism, and institutional religious intolerance.
88 recommendations were made, including the abolition of enforced cell sharing, improved sharing of information about prisoners, and enhanced assessments of mental health and risk to others.
What are some manifestations of differential treatment experienced by individuals within the prison system?
Racial abuse and intimidation from both prisoners and staff, harassment, bullying, and the presence of racist graffiti.
Disproportionate use of force, unfair treatment in initial risk assessments, security (re-)categorizations, allocation to dispersals, Release on Temporary Licence (ROTLs), Home Detention Curfew (HDC), and a lower likelihood of being identified with learning difficulties or poor mental health.
What are some organizational and legal responses to address racial issues within the prison system?
Creating a more diverse workforce to address the long-standing under-representation of BAME staff.
Addressing internal decision-making processes.
Limiting staff discretion through mechanisms like Incentive Earned Privileges (IEP), Orderly Manner of Use (OMU), etc.
Defining racially motivated abuse and assault as ‘any incident perceived to be racial by the victim or any other person.’
Utilizing prisoner councils for addressing grievances.
Implementing internal race relations policies.
Seeking external (legal) sources of accountability.
What are some consequences of the experiences of differential treatment within the prison system?
Individuals experiencing such treatment are more likely to receive adjudications for minor offenses, face loss of Incentive Earned Privileges (IEP) status and association, and be subjected to the use of segregation.
They are also more likely to be unemployed or allocated to the worst jobs with the lowest wages, less likely to be referred for Offending Behavior Programs (OBPs), and tend to report poorer quality relationships with staff.
According to Phillips (2013), what are the three ways individuals may adapt to the pains of racism?
Fatalistic acceptance
Collective resistance
Individual rebellion
