The Changing Nature of Interpersonal Relationships in a Women's Prison

Abstract

It is generally assumed that the subcultures experienced by men and women in prison are diametrically opposed. Previous research indicates that incarcerated women create more stable interpersonal relationships. Thirty-five women imprisoned in the Midwest were interviewed, and their comments suggest the subculture found in women's prisons might be changing. While their observations support the notion that prisons for women are generally less violent, involve less gang activity, and do not facilitate the racial tensions evident in men's prisons, the respondents indicated their interpersonal relationships may be less stable and less familial than in the past. Specifically, participants discussed the high degree of mistrust inherent in their friendships with other female inmates. In addition, they reported numerous reasons women engage in sexual relationships; however, they believe the primary motivation involves economic manipulation. Finally, respondents did not report a significant or formal enactment of familial networks. Factors which might influence such changes are considered.

Surviving Incarceration: Two Prison-Based Peer Programs Build Communities of Support for Female Offenders

“…Recent research indicates that the prison pseudo family is changing and female inmates are having difficulty forming and maintaining trusting relationships with each other (Propper 1982). Traditional familial prison networks have changed since Giallombardo's work (Greer 2000;Propper 1982); these traditional pseudo families have decreased significantly. Researchers have enhanced their investigations of female adaptation in prison to include other social networks of support that extend beyond the traditional pseudo family (Greer 2000;Owen 1998;Severance 2005).…”

“…In a study of Midwestern female inmates, Greer (2000) discovered that although some female inmates engaged in same-sex relationships, there was a great amount of distrust between partners; she found, however, no confirmation of the traditional pseudo family. Most of the relationships began and continued on the basis of economic motives or loneliness.…”

“…Female bonding and adaptive methods of incarceration is an understudied aspect of the prison subculture. While prior research found that female inmates recreate their lost family in prison to ameliorate the pains of separation (Giallombardo 1966), more recent works have uncovered that the nature of America's female prison ''pseudo family'' may be evolving and, correspondingly, diminishing in importance (Fox 1984;Greer 2000;Propper 1982;Severance 2005). Since one's associates in prison can affect institutional adjustment, associations with a prosocial supportive network can prevent periods of maladjustment, particularly at the beginning and end of one's incarceration, when disciplinary rates reach their highest levels (Wright 1999).…”

Sexual coercion reported by women in three midwestern prisons

“…When they occurred, they generally involved multiple female perpetrators who were seemingly expressing anger or resentment toward another inmate. Greer (2000) interviewed 35 female inmates in a Midwestern prison about their interpersonal and sexual relationships. Although sexual assault was not the topic of the interviews, inmates reported that most of the sexual interactions among inmates were brought about by game playing and economic manipulation.…”

“…The harshness and demands of prison life most likely contribute to sexual coercion among female inmates. According to Greer (2000), some women's prisons are becoming more like men's prisons in that many inmates meet their needs through manipulation and exploitation of other inmates.…”