Beyond Punishment: Applying PRISM in a New Zealand Maximum Security Prison

Abstract

Institutional violence has typically in the past focused on individual risk factors (substance abuse, impulsivity, personality, mental health functioning, etc.). Over recent years, the focus in assessing for violence in institutional settings has shifted from internal variables to environmental (or situational) factors. A newly developed institutional measure, Promoting Risk Intervention by Situational Management (PRISM), a structured approach to examine situational risk factors was applied to New Zealand maximum security prison units. Assessment found distorted views of violence and safety (confirmed that violence was sporadic and not predictable and more likely to relate to situational risk factors), problems in leadership on violence management, a lack of specific training or recruitment for working in maximum security or consistent specialist training. The area of most concern related to a restricted unlock regime with no treatment options and limited recreational activities. Specific issues included population mix with gang issues preventing prisoner movement to maintain gang parity, and “siltage,” with other prisons reluctant to take transfers. Stiltage in this case refers to prisoner flow through the institution being choked up. Staff found use of risk scenarios a ‘natural’ move to a future rather than past risk consideration. Changes as a result of PRISM included attention to staff mix, implementation of an active management approach, and some flexibility regarding quality-of-life experiences. The application of PRISM to each unit endorsed the need for a differential approach with varying needs found. Unfortunately, the lack of a more flexible prison environment and continued serious violence in these units prevented major changes at this stage. The implications of applying PRISM in the face of such issues, as well as increasing level of imprisonment with limited funding are discussed.