Masculinities of prisoners and officers in a Ukrainian prison

What is it about?

I demonstrate how masculine models and discourses are diverse, dynamic, and contested and argue that men as agents tap into them to frame flexible identities to suit their needs. I explore how prisoners and officers construct, prove, and maintain their masculine identities in a milieu of rigid structures and limited resources.

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Why is it important?

This article demonstrates the nuanced role of violence and masculinity in men’s prisons. Whereas much of the extant literature links prison violence to a hypermasculine culture, this article details how a masculine-centered, hierarchical prisoner structure curtails violence.