Abstract
The literature on male imprisonment consistently reveals a particular form of hegemonic masculinity based on competition, dominance and violence, actual or threatened. This article seeks to examine this standard view via the experience of republican politically motivated prisoners in Northern Ireland. It finds evidence of elements of hegemonic masculinity as in other prisons, but alongside this there was an alternative form of hegemonic masculinity, one based on the ability to endure rather than inflict violence. The article also examines the way in which homosociality – male fraternity without homosexual desire – was an integral part of the prison experience and was enhanced by the solidarity among the prisoners; this solidarity was based on both initial political ideology and the collective resistance against the prison system's attempts to break their solidarity. Finally, it also examines the space for emotions and emotional support in the difficult circumstances of violence inflicted by prison officers, an extended “blanket protest” and a harrowing hunger strike.
Highlights
This article seeks to examine the standard representation of masculinity in prison through consideration of the experience of republican prisoners in Northern Ireland
Through a series of in-depth interviews with former prisoners, it finds evidence for hegemonic masculinity as ordinarily understood in the literature, while revealing the existence of an alternative form of masculine hegemony based on enduring rather than inflicting violence. It considers how homosociality – male fraternity without homosexual desire – was fashioned in the prison system and concludes that the interplay between it and political solidarity enabled the prisoners not to endure the individual pains of imprisonment but to mount a sustained resistance in the face of an often brutal prison regime
Examines the space for emotions and emotional support in the difficult circumstances of violence inflicted by prison officers, an extended “blanket protest” and a harrowing hunger strike
Summary
Through a series of in-depth interviews with former prisoners, it finds evidence for hegemonic masculinity as ordinarily understood in the literature, while revealing the existence of an alternative form of masculine hegemony based on enduring rather than inflicting violence It considers how homosociality – male fraternity without homosexual desire – was fashioned in the prison system and concludes that the interplay between it and political solidarity enabled the prisoners not to endure the individual pains of imprisonment but to mount a sustained resistance in the face of an often brutal prison regime. They came to the decision not to ostracize those comrades who had not joined the protest or who had come off it
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
