Victimisation in detention: prevalence, causes and consequences

Prisoners are usually - and, understandably, given their criminal convictions - perceived as offenders, that is, people who have committed one or more crimes and who have to pay for their misdeeds. However, they often are also victimised themselves when doing their time. International research has demonstrated that prisons are often unsafe environments where various forms of victimisation take place. In this study we aim to map the prevalence of victimisation (actual victimisation, fear of victimisation, witnessing victimisation) in Belgian prisons and we will explore the causes and consequences of inmates' experiences with victimisation. This empirical research project will have a multi-method design: it will combine quantitative survey methodology and qualitative interviewing with focus group discussions and observations in selected penal institutions. This study will be the first of its kind in Belgium. Moreover, we anticipate that our results will be interesting for international comparative research, in particular to compare findings from our Belgian (European) study with findings from existing and ongoing research in the United States and elsewhere.