'It was like an animal in pain': Institutional thoughtlessness and bereavement in prison

Wilson, Marion; Johnston, Helen; Walker, Liz

Abstract

Using the concept of institutional thoughtlessness, this article examines a range of issues embedded within daily prison life which have a detrimental effect upon the lives of those bereaved during a prison sentence. Drawing on in-depth qualitative research undertaken with bereaved prisoners, staff members and volunteers at a male prison in the North of England, the article explores how individual and institutional goals compete, compounding bereavement experiences and the management of grief. Findings demonstrate the tension between the policies and protocols prisons are tasked to follow, and unintended consequences for the individually bereaved. This article illuminates the need for far greater understanding of bereavement in the prison population and explores how a universal life experience can be particularly debilitating within the prison setting with the potential to exacerbate what is often cumulative loss among prisoners.

Citation

Wilson, M., Johnston, H., & Walker, L. (in press). 'It was like an animal in pain': Institutional thoughtlessness and bereavement in prison. Criminology & criminal Justice, https://doi.org/10.1177/1748895820930755

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 11, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Jun 24, 2020
• Deposit Date: Mar 19, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 27, 2022
• Journal: Criminology & criminal justice
• Print ISSN: 1748-8958
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1748895820930755
• Keywords: Bereavement; Excessive grief;Prisoner; Prison regime; Prison staff
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3475447
• Publisher URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1748895820930755