Corrections_Today_July-August_2022_Vol.84_No.4

psychological aggressions, such as gossip or sharp commentary, to hurt others. In our data, more than two thirds of the women (68%) self-reported using this tactic or it being used against them compared to one-third of the men (38%) who mentioned settling disputes in this way. Specifically, women described using this type of relational violence by falsely accusing one-another, gossiping about personal information, lobbing “below the belt” or triggering commentary. Further, female residents report other women in positions of “power,” such as leading mentoring or counseling programs, us ing this position to attract and manipulate younger and more naïve residents. In this way, our data supports the third myth, but it extends it to show female residents use several types of relational aggression beyond passive aggressive commentary to settle disputes. It is important for correctional staff and management to understand it is essential to approach male and female residents reflective of their unique dynamics and how they interact with other residents. MYTH #4: Men rely on physical violence more than women to settle disputes and violations to the code. What our data says about this myth: Not really . Men and women described relying on physical vio lence in prison at similar rates. What our data suggest is nuanced differences about why each group resorts to violence. In our data, men described violence as an eventual way to solve interpersonal disputes when “sort ing it out” verbally (either calmly or shouting) was not enough. Men describe violence as appealing mostly for self-protection and describe relying on violence when it

istock/champja

was only absolutely necessary and in a way that was so aggressive, they would not need to use it again. Women also describe using violence against their peers. For example, women described relying on violence towards other residents when they wanted nearby prison staff to intervene and effectively settle the dispute for them, thereby avoiding an ‘obvious winner.’ In this way, women reported using violence for instrumental and manipulative ways beyond self-protection. Taken with Myth 3, women appear to respond more intentionally to peer violations. What does this mean for corrections? Relationships influence behavior both outside and in side prisons. Examining the dynamics of relationships and how they vary (or not) by group is especially applicable to correctional institutions separated by sex. Most correc tional institutions were designed with men in mind, and this design was simply recreated for women’s institutions (Covington & Bloom, 2000). However, what works best in a male prison may or may not work as effectively for a women’s prison. Ignoring nuances in male and female relationships may leave one or the other (and their needs) forgotten and unaddressed. For this reason, it is important for correctional staff and management to understand it is essential to approach male and female residents reflective of their unique dy namics and how they interact with other residents. From our data we summarize key recommendations to respon sively manage each group’s relationships:

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