This study evaluates whether perceptions of physical attractiveness affect victimization risks in women’s prisons.
This study uncovers an unintended consequence of physical attractiveness for imprisoned women, demonstrating their heightened susceptibility to in-prison victimization. Drawing on survey data collected from 223 women across two Pennsylvania prisons, this article investigates whether perceptions of physical attractiveness operate as protective or risk factors for victimization experienced while incarcerated. Logistic regression results show a significant positive association between interviewer-assessed perceptions of physical attractiveness and incarcerated women’s self-reported resident-on-resident victimization. Dominance analysis results indicate that perceptions of physical attractiveness ranked nearly as high as histories of abuse in predicting incarcerated women’s risk of victimization. Emerging research suggests that physical attractiveness may yield outcomes beyond preferential treatment, such as increasing the vulnerability to victimization during adolescence. Despite growing awareness of individual and institutional victimization risk factors during incarceration, research has yet to consider the role of physical attractiveness. (Published Abstract Provided)
Downloads
Similar Publications
- Pandemic Toolkit: Resources from the COVID-19 Response in Confinement Facilities
- The Accumulated Impact of Direct and Indirect Workplace Violence Exposure on Mental Health and Physiological Activity among Correctional Officers
- Risk and Rehabilitation: Supporting the Work of Probation Officers in the Community Reentry of Extremist Offenders