Prisoner Emotions: Understanding the pathways to destruction and healing in prison

Is solitary confinement damaging? Can it ever be considered rehabilitative? How does the experience of segregation affect prisoners' developmental trajectories over time?

Segregation units are complex places managing some of the most difficult and vulnerable prisoners. Ten per cent of prisoners spend at least one day in segregation (Shalev & Edgar, 2015). Solitary confinement is often described as an 'ecology of cruelty' (Haney, 2008), and a form of psychological torture (Morris, 2002). Yet, there is debate over the effects of solitary, with some arguing that impacts are either short-lived or even enlightening for some prisoners (O'Donnell, 2014). Crucially however, this debate has been shorn of emotional dimensions: psychological measures of harm have been privileged while direct accounts of prisoners' experiences are buried in the literature. The neglect of emotion is remarkable given the 'charge' and emotional intensity of segregation units (where displays of anger, fear and sadness are commonplace) and because emotions play an essential role in shaping behaviour, decision-making and social life. By foregrounding emotion this study will help provide a more nuanced understanding of male and female prisoner experiences in segregation over time, advancing our theoretical understanding of segregation, cycles of despair and routes out of violence.

To explore these issues this study will be guided by two primary research questions. First, what are the key dynamics of the emotional world of solitary confinement? This involves exploring the ways in which prisoners experience, manage, and psychologically cope with segregation. Particular emphasis is given here to 'emotion regulation', different ways of managing emotions, and the intensity of these feeling states at particular times. Second, what are the emotional 'pathways' of prisoners who experience segregation? Does solitary set in motion trajectories that lead to destruction, violence, and cycles of infractions? Or are there routes to healing, compassion and insight that can be observed? Few studies of solitary confinement consider changes over time, or they typically fail to include prisoners' accounts of such changes in their reports. By contrast, this study would focus on patterns of emotional development at different time periods and try to understand the mechanisms of change that underpin them.

To investigate these questions, this short longitudinal study would blend repeat semi-structured interviews with prisoners (n=80), participant observation, and a short survey (n=200). The fieldwork phase would be formed of two stages (Time-1 and Time-2), separated by a six month gap. The fieldwork focuses on investigating how factors such as social isolation, sensory deprivation, inactivity, and increased levels of control impact emotional development over time. The longitudinal format enables the study to locate developments in the sample population both at the individual and group level (Institute for Work & Health, 2015). Alongside the interviews, detailed prisoner observations provide an opportunity to assess behaviours directly, and a survey will be circulated to a broader sample of prisoners (n=200) who have experienced solitary confinement at some previous point in their current sentence.

The research would be particularly novel in its longitudinal approach, answering recent calls within the discipline for greater insight into processes of desistance within custodial settings. The study would aim to inform policy and practice in relation to prisoner experiences of solitary confinement, about which little is known either by practitioners and academics, by opening up these closed institutional worlds to empirical research. It would further contribute significantly to a criminological literature that has been described as 'bloodless' (Ferrell, 1999) and devoid of feeling.

This research comes at a time when a wide range of practitioners and government officials are debating how best to manage segregation units and to reduce the length of time that prisoners spend within them. This study, therefore, has implications and impact for the following primary groups:

- Her Majesty's Prison and Probabtion Service (HMPPS)
- Prisoners
- Third sector charities and pressure groups
- Members of the public

(1) Those working for HMPPS would be extremely interested in these findings, which could be used to directly influence prison policy. For example, senior practitioners and policy makers would be presented with data that could support, or better evidence, recent arguments for placing restrictions on the use of segregation. Similarly, there has been discussion at the government level about reducing the use of force in prison. Given that many use of force incidents happen while transferring prisoners to and from segregation units the results of this research could help shed light on the best policies for reducing use of force. Middle managers and Governor grade prison staff could use the findings to improve their own procedural operation and internal policies within segregation units. The study raises operational and practical questions: for example, how can staff members be trained to deal with the distinctive needs of this prisoner population? Finally, front-line uniformed officers could be impacted by this study through increased understanding of prisoners' experiences. In the long-term then, this research could help to contribute to a prison culture that is secure and safe for both staff and prisoners.

(2) Prisoners themselves would be important research beneficiaries. For them, this research would primarily have implications on their quality of life and well-being in segregation units, including their ability to survive and cope with their difficult emotions. In what ways can distress and anger be decreased in segregation units? What outlets exist for managing difficult feelings in this restricted regime? And how can these prisoners be best prepare for their release? By understanding such questions, alongside the life narratives and experiences of segregation, future generations of prisoners and their families may benefit by better understanding their pathways to desistance and self-change.

(3) Third sector charities and pressure groups such as the Howard League for Penal Reform and the Prison Reform Trust would strongly benefit from the findings. The Howard League has long advocated a need to the shine the light on segregation units, creating greater awareness about the conditions and quality of regimes in these often closed-off prison areas. The Prison Reform Trust's recent report on segregation units ('Deep Custody') signals a strong commitment to detailed empirical research in this area. Findings from this research project could help these organisations build and evidence their campaigns, and inform their dialogues with the Ministry of Justice and HMPPS.

(4) In the medium to long term, this research (which will feature a regularly updated blog and will be publicized across social media platforms) will have an impact on members of the public. The findings will help to foreground prisoners stories, and relate authentic realities of prison life in segregation. This can help to rebalance more sensationalised accounts, and inform the public's understanding of prison conditions. This provides an important way of building trust between prison academics and members of the public.