Media Portrayals of Prison Life and Criminal Justice: A Narrative Literature Review on Shaping Public Perceptions and Policy Implications

Abstract

The media plays a powerful role in shaping public perceptions of prisons, prisoners, and the criminal justice system, which are often negative and influenced by various factors, emphasising the importance of critically assessing these portrayals for a more nuanced understanding. This narrative review summarises and analyses existing literature on diverse depictions of prison life across different media. A comprehensive literature search resulted in 33 studies covering the years 1993–2023. Using content analysis, four themes exploring prison portrayals and public perceptions were identified: 1) discrepancies between media and reality of prison experiences; 2) specificities of public perceptions, including media representations; 3) media influence on public attitudes and beliefs regarding incarceration, rehabilitation, and punitive measures within the criminal justice system; and 4) impact on criminal justice policies and policy reforms. In conclusion, media representations of prisons, prisoners, and the criminal justice system significantly impact public attitudes by often sensationalising and perpetuating negative stereotypes, which, in turn, influences legal processes and policymakers’ decisions, underscoring the need for more balanced depictions to foster informed discussions and challenge biases.