Prison Gangs, Street Gangs: A Critique of Theories of Prison Violence and Prison Research Methodologies: Very Rough Draft

Abstract

Prison research methodology over decades has captured a view of prison inmate life mired by researchers' lack of first-hand experience and exposure to prison life. Theories of violence applicable to the street have been used to explain prison violence, even though contexts are a world apart. Sykes' 1950s notion of deprivation was code for a theory at the time which claimed that men are violent in the absence of heterosexual sex; publications claimed it explained domestic violence, too. The paper reviews and critiques prison research methods, theories of violence cited decade to decade without thought, and findings on prison violence based in hearsay and claims of prison staff that gone unchallenged and unverified. Prisons are difficult sites for research and designed to keep out researchers. This papers offers a thorough review of prison research barriers.