Factors of Violence: A Study in Greek Prisons

Abstract

This article presents the main findings of a research study about the development of violence in Greek prisons after 2009, considering prison density, prisoner/staff ratio (2015–2019) and prison size. The data cover interpersonal violence among inmates and against staff from the 34 prisons in Greece, as recorded by the Ministry of Citizen Protection (General Secretariat of Crime Policy). In the first and second part, the article presents in brief the findings of existing studies about factors associated with prisoners’ misbehavior. The third part contains the empirical research. In the fourth part, some conclusions and open issues for further research and policy implications concerning Greek correctional institutions are discussed. This research confirms the results of several studies that prison density, prison size and inmate/staff ratio as single factors are not enough to explain violence in prison.