Prison Study: A Review of Research Gaps and Future Directions

Milićević, Milena (2024) Prison Study: A Review of Research Gaps and Future Directions. In: International scientific conference “Life in prison: criminological, penological, psychological, sociological, legal, security, and medical issues”, Institute of criminological and sociological research, Belgrade December 2 and 3, 2024. Institute of criminological and sociological research, Belgrade, pp. 507-554. ISBN 978-86-80756-73-8

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Abstract

With numerous studies examining life in prison, identifying research gaps is necessary for mapping focus areas, refining unanswered questions, and avoiding redundant efforts. This process could optimise resources, fosters collaborative approaches, and ultimately lead to more robust and insightful research outcomes. Therefore, this scoping review aimed to identify and address research gaps and future directions within the field of prison studies, specifically focusing on prison climate. Methods: Comprehensive searches were conducted across two databases and a web search engine, with no time restrictions, targeting papers with 'prison climate' in their titles. Both quantitative and qualitative studies were collected. Their limitations and recommendations for future research were analysed using a convergent integrated framework, followed by thematic synthesis. Results: A review of 97 studies identified several critical areas. The studies included diverse samples, but research predominantly focused on Western countries and adult male populations. Various ethical, logistical, and institutional factors frequently influenced sample representativeness, data quality, and measurement reliability. In general, there is an urgent need for longitudinal studies examining prison climate and rehabilitation outcomes. Comparative cross-cultural studies and qualitative explorations of the experiences of both inmates and staff remain underrepresented. Additionally, limited research addresses the relationship between inmate personality profiles and their specific needs within prison programs. Similarly, limited attention was given to how the work environment impacts staff attitudes and behaviours, as well as how these, consequently, shape inmate perceptions of prison climate. The effectiveness of gender-sensitive rehabilitation programs and the role of interventions focused on family, housing, and health in reducing recidivism also require further exploration. Conclusion: Geographic diversity and representation of under-researched groups (e.g., elderly inmates, non-Western populations) remain limited. While quantitative methods dominated, qualitative approaches,context-specific validation, and longitudinal designs emerged as priorities for future research. Additionally, expanding research beyond Western prison populations and adapting measurement tools for diverse inmate and staff groups is recommended. Establishing evidence-based thresholds could help set policies that prevent institutions from falling below safety standards and ensure minimally acceptable conditions regarding overcrowding, violence levels, and staffing ratios. These thresholds can guide resource allocation and intervention design towards positive rehabilitation outcomes, such as increased program participation and improved re-entry support. Finally, engaging individuals with lived experience and other relevant stakeholders in research could further ensure the relevance and applicability of findings.

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