NCJ Number
143196
Journal
Inside Psychology Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: (November 1992) Pages: 18-23
Date Published
1992
Length
6 pages
Annotation
In 1979, the governor of a borstal in Great Britain, a custodial institution for about 300 youthful offenders, initiated a study to assess bullying activities suspected in dormitories, in which a majority of inmates lived.
Abstract
All inmates spent about 33 percent of their time in the dormitories which were then allocated regardless of offense, body build, or psychological profile. An examination of the previous 100 offenses against discipline committed by inmates revealed only one instance of bullying. Interviews with 23 inmates revealed, however, that the institution did have an inmate culture dominated by various techniques of bullying. Most bullying occurred in the dormitories. Some preventive measures were taken by the correctional staff: outside lights, televisions to combat boredom, differential allocation on reception to either dormitories or cells, and restructuring of night patrol routines. These measures were designed to increase staff surveillance, risk of apprehension, and punishment. Reassessments of bullying were conducted in April and July 1980. Results showed that, while dangerous and perverted practices were no longer reported by inmates, less serious forms of bullying occurred in cells, as frequently as in the dormitories.