Outcasts in prison

The cases of informers and sex offenders

Dados Bibliográficos

ID2152164
AutoresMalin Akerstrom (0000-0002-9780-7569, Lund University, autor correspondente)
Ano1986
Volume7
Fascículo1
Páginas1-12
Data de publicação1986-01-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoDeviant Behavior (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0163-9625 • E-ISSN: 1521-0456
EditoraInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/01639625.1986.9967691
OpenAlexW2043682973
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas16
Referências citadas4

The literature on prisoners is extensive but tends to neglect the "outcasts among outcasts." This article discusses how two such groups of outcasts—informers and sex offenders—are viewed by other inmates. It is argued that there is a qualitative difference in the moral condemnation of the two. This is shown in their different victim status and in that responsibility and motives are attributed differently. Furthermore, excuses can be considered for sex offenders but not for informers. While the aim of harassment for sex offenders is a sealing of status boundary, it is a sealing of norm boundary for informers. These differences as well as different levels of intensity of indignation are explained by a Simmelean analysis of group‐context and conflict. Informers are seen as traitors, i.e. having belonged to the group, while sex offenders are seen as non‐members, never having belonged to the group and not wanted as presumtive members

Context (archaeology · Criminology · Harassment · Indignation · Neglect · Political science · Prison · Psychiatry · Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis · History · Law · Psychology · Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending · Social Psychology · Torture, Ethics, and Law