Citation

Edgar K, O'Donnell I. Br. J. Criminol. 1998; 38(4): 635-650.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, Publisher Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/bjc/38.4.635

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Assaults in prison occur for diverse reasons. Understanding the role of the victim can help to explain the assault. In this article, concepts developed to analyse the victim's contribution to crimes outside prison are applied to interpersonal violence within penal institutions. A close examination of 96 prison assaults showed how activities which are considered routine in custody increased the risk of assault. Victims contributed to their victimization through facilitation or precipitation, by gaining a reputation for vulnerability, and by increasing the aggressor's sense of impunity. The participants' interpretations of events showed that there may be good reasons for an inmate deliberately putting himself at risk of being attacked