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Producing Social (Dis)Order in Prison

Institutional security level is one of the most consistent predictors of aggregate-levels of violence in prisons. Informed by administrative control theory, this study explores the impact of two types of social order administrative controls on prisoner-on-prisoner violence. Grounded theory was used to analyze in-depth semi-structured interviews with former Canadian male prisoners. From the participants’ perspectives, the reliance on formal, coercive mechanisms in higher security prisons decreased feelings of safety and led to increased violence, while the informal, remunerative mechanisms used in lower security prisons deterred aggression and encouraged desirable behaviors. Implications for prison management and administrative decisions are discussed.