Experiences of vulnerability in adult male prisoners: an integrative review

Heaslip, VA; Dugdale, C; Parker, J; Johnsen, B; Hean, S

Abstract

Vulnerability linked to offenders tends to focus on victims and society. Understanding prisoner vulnerability, is important to better address the negative impact of prison life. This paper reviews the evidence on vulnerability reported by male prisoners. 3038 citations were filtered using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Data were analysed using thematic analysis, highlighting four areas of vulnerability: uncertainty, environmental vulnerability, fear of harm and loss of human connection. The paper notes that basic principles for treatment of prisoners are not met in many areas, indicating a need to shift conceptualisations of vulnerability.

Citation

Heaslip, V., Dugdale, C., Parker, J., Johnsen, B., & Hean, S. (2022). Experiences of vulnerability in adult male prisoners: an integrative review. Prison Journal, 103(1), 122-153. https://doi.org/10.1177/00328855221139868

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 22, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Dec 9, 2022
• Publication Date: Dec 9, 2022
• Deposit Date: Dec 14, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 14, 2022
• Journal: The Prison Journal
• Print ISSN: 0032-8855
• Electronic ISSN: 1552-7522
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Volume: 103
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 122-153
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00328855221139868
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/00328855221139868
• Additional Information: Projects : COLAB