Individual and contextual risk factors of prisoners' victimization: A best fit framework synthesis

Abstract

In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to victimization of prisoners. In order to draw lessons based on recent high quality studies, a systematic literature review is conducted. To this end, best fit framework synthesis, a type of synthesis in which researchers contribute to existing theories, is applied. The aim is to determine risk factors of prisoner-on-prisoner victimization and to understand these within the social control opportunity theory by Steiner and Wooldredge (2020). Twelve databases were screened in English or French. The results suggest the usefulness of (an extension of) the theory in understanding prisoner victimization. However, our current knowledge is largely based on research in the U.S. prison system. This raises questions about the value of the theory for non-American prison policy. Moreover, the findings highlight the need for researchers to improve study designs by, for example, aiming for better operationalization of victimization in survey research.