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Publicatie
Marooned at Work: The Impact of Prison Officer Isolation on Occupational Culture
Tijdschriftbijdrage - Tijdschriftartikel
Korte inhoud:The impact of the insular nature of prison environments is usually studied from the perspective of incarcerated persons. This
article presents key findings from an ethnographic study in a Belgian telephone pole-style prison, exploring the experiences of
prison officers working in single-staffed units and the impact on the occupational culture. Drawing on the emic term ‘islands’
used by prison officers in this study to metaphorically depict both the material and psychological work environment, this article
discusses the impact of specific work conditions within this prison setting, such as the detrimental effect of prison officer isolation
on staff cohesion, solidarity and functional staff–prisoner relationships. Moreover, the results show that certain factors, such as
local prison policy, digital communication and prison layout, may contribute to or reinforce insularity.
article presents key findings from an ethnographic study in a Belgian telephone pole-style prison, exploring the experiences of
prison officers working in single-staffed units and the impact on the occupational culture. Drawing on the emic term ‘islands’
used by prison officers in this study to metaphorically depict both the material and psychological work environment, this article
discusses the impact of specific work conditions within this prison setting, such as the detrimental effect of prison officer isolation
on staff cohesion, solidarity and functional staff–prisoner relationships. Moreover, the results show that certain factors, such as
local prison policy, digital communication and prison layout, may contribute to or reinforce insularity.
Gepubliceerd in: The Howard Journal of Crime and Justice
ISSN: 2059-1098
Jaar van publicatie:2025
Trefwoorden:prison officers, occupational culture, prison architecture
Toegankelijkheid:Open
Reviewstatus:Peerreview