Climate consensus: A multilevel study testing assumptions about prison climate

Abstract

BackgroundPrison climate is commonly regarded as an important feature of a prison. However, the state of the art in the current literature is that the theoretical assumptions underlying the concept of prison climate are unclear, and empirical studies on prison climate lack precision. PurposeThe aims of this paper are to provide (1) an overview of the general theoretical model, (2) a review of the empirical literature and its shortcomings in relation to the model, and (3) to test the relevant theoretical assumptions regarding the existence of shared and distinct prison climates. MethodsThis is done using high-quality data from the Life in Custody Study, a nation-wide survey study among men and women imprisoned in the Netherlands (N = 4538). ResultsSupporting evidence is found for the existence of a shared prison climate, which can distinguish between prisons and prison units. Yet, most variation rests with individual perceptions. Contextual effects of different dimensions of climate are identified for well-being and misconduct. ConclusionsDistinct prison climates exist for prison units, and to a lesser extent prisons, and they can be detected with sufficiently large samples. Adequate methods are required to measure prison climate, including climate consensus, and study its effects.