Foundations of Social Research: Prison Management and Violence

This report, titled "Foundations of Social Research: A Systematic Research Strategy," delves into the complex relationship between prison management and violence. It begins by outlining a systematic research strategy, including developing a literature search strategy, identifying research questions (such as the affiliation between prison violence and good management), defining variables, and establishing inclusion/exclusion criteria. The report then explores three key articles, analyzing their research questions, methods, key findings, and significance of results. Article 1 focuses on good prison management, highlighting varying imprisonment rates globally and the importance of training. Article 2 examines the causes of violence, including overcrowding and gang rivalries, and emphasizes the need for prisoner dignity and staff training. Article 3 explores violence prevention through staff training and effective management. The report concludes with an assessment of the appropriateness of the research methods and a critical reflection on the contribution of the articles, discussing limitations and advantages, ultimately advocating for improved prison management practices to reduce violence and provide effective social services to prisoners. The research utilizes a qualitative approach to provide an in-depth understanding of the subject matter.

Foundations of Social Research
A Systematic Research Strategy

Table of Contents
Foundations of Social Research.......................................................................................................1
A Systematic Research Strategy......................................................................................................1
Developing and evaluating literature search strategy.....................................................................3
Causes and Prevention of Violence in Prisons NOTE: A shorter version of this document has
been published as a chapter in a book published in 2005................................................................3
Article 1.............................................................................................................................4
Article 2.............................................................................................................................5
Article 3.............................................................................................................................6
Heading 3 Appropriateness of the research ....................................................................................6
Heading 4 Critical reflection of contribution...................................................................................7

Developing and evaluating literature search strategy.
Development of the strategy comprises of several steps which includes:
1. Identification of the research questions.
2. Defining the variables within your research and
3. Defining inclusion and exclusion criteria.
The research question associated with the study is that, “Is there an affiliation between inside
prison violence and good prison management?” The interaction with the prisoner is a dependent
variable (Vejvodová and Kolář, 2019). The assessment of prison workers is considered to be an
independent variable. The independent variable which in turn influence the dependent variable is
associated with the ranking of workers in the prison facility. Inclusion criteria is highly based on
the prospective subjects if they have been included in particular study. On the other hand,
exclusion criteria is based on those characteristics that disqualifies people from set population.
2. Establish keys words
The key words associated with the study are prisoners, workers, management, research, good
prison, prison violence, variables, workers.
3. Search for studies, select studies for inclusion based on pre-defined criteria and Extract
data from included studies.
The data will be collected from various articles, google scholarly papers, etc.
4. Selecting a collection, research material that will be examined for evidence.
The key articles that will be used for the evidence of the research are:
 Managing prisons in a time of change.
 A Human Rights Approach to Prison Management.
 Causes and Prevention of Violence in Prisons NOTE: A shorter version of this document
has been published as a chapter in a book published in 2005.

Article 1
Citation
Coyle, A. and University of London. International Centre for Prison Studies, 2002. Managing
prisons in a time of change. London: International Centre for Prison Studies.
Research Question:
What constitutes good prison management?
Methods used:
The researcher of the study has opted for descriptive approach where qualitative method
will be used. This helps in gaining in- depth understanding associated with the specific research.
Key findings: Russia and United states has imprisonment rates of around 700 per 100,000
associated with the national population. There are countries who have much lower rates such as
Indonesia has 25 per 100,0000; India is at 40, Iceland at 30 and Finland at 50. In Western
countries retired military officers were given responsibility to manage prisons. In India, the
management of the prison tends to lie in the hands of police force. In Western European
countries like Germany, the directors of the prison sought to have legal qualifications and tenure
in prison as part of there training. In developing countries prisons has the capability to develop
an effective criminal justice system. Grossly around 10000 people are living in unhealthy and
overcrowded conditions in the prison.
Significance of Results: The prison is referred to as an institution which do not attract people
with good deeds in a normal course of event. From the year 1980 till 2000 the prison system has
undergone one of the massive change. Prison management requires specific development and
training. There seems to be radical change in the prison management in various countries across
the globe. Tihar in New Delhi and Kresty in St. Petersburg are one of the biggest prisons in the
world. Managing of such prisons requires specific skills which is largely peculiar with the
general management of the prisons (Managing prisons in a time of change, 2020). Prison
management is considered to be as one of the public service. National, local and federal
structures also tends to focus on managing the prison. The prison service is considered to be as
one of the most complex organization. Leadership within the organization helps in creating better

change management within the prison. Training and recruitment of staff is also one of the major
task which is very useful in the proper management of the prison. The key principles associated
with the good prison management is mainly linked with the proper health care, maintenance of
human dignity, personal safety, access to physical exercise, education and work, etc.
Article 2
Citation: Nelson Mandela, P., A Human Rights Approach to Prison Management.
Research Question:
What Causes Violence in Prisons and how can be controlled in a prison?
Methods used:
The researcher of the study has opted for interpretivism philosophy approach where
qualitative method will be used. This helps in gaining in- depth understanding and is also useful
in bridging the gaps on the current knowledge of the subject matter.
Key findings
Psychological, sexual and physical violence are considered to be as one of the most
aggressive approach carried out by the researcher. Over-crowdedness, design of the prison,
physical environment, gang rivalries, minor disputes, etc. in turn largely contributes to the
violent attacks.
Significance of Results: Securing prisons is considered to be very crucial in order to make the
justice system one of the most effective weapon related with the crime. Proper contribution to the
prisons is very useful in reducing the crime rate of the countries. The principle associated with
the good prison management is to treat prisoners with due respect and dignity. Direct supervision
of the jails has resulted in control of the prisoners and also resulted in the reduction in violence
and vandalism. There should be proper communication and improved interaction between the
prisoners and staff in order to deal with the key problems proactively. Use of various range of
physical restraints such as chains, irons, handcuffs, strait jackets, etc. must not be applied in
various exceptional cases. The use of lethal weapons and forbidding use of fire arms inside the
prison helps in avoiding and protecting the lives of the various person. Staff who tends to work
with the high security prisoners are likely to be given special training. The right to security to
individuals mainly associated with the violence eventually results in the bodily harm.

Article 3
Citation
Press, H., Homel, R. and Thompson, C., Causes and Prevention of Violence in Prisons.
Research Question
Building program inside of prison does it reduce violence?
Methods used:
The research will use empirical approach where data will be collected with the help of qualitative
approach.
Key findings:
Inexperienced staff and not adequate training to employees, vulnerability to the violence are
considered to be as the key challenge related with the violence.
Significance of Results: There are various set of theories associated with the prison
management mainly comprise of accountability and prison management (Coyle and Fair, 2018).
There should be development of various consensual models related with the prison management.
Situational prevention strategies, institutional reforms, effective management practices, adequate
training to the staff, etc. helps in reducing violence.
Heading 3 Appropriateness of the research
Qualitative research method is considered to be very appropriate as it helps in gaining
wide degree of descriptive in- depth knowledge on the association between good prison
management and inside prison violence. Proper research problems has been developed which
eventually help researcher in finding relevant answers associated with the research. I have
evaluated that, this research states that, the staff must be given proper training and necessary
steps must be taken to improve the good management of the prison and reduce violence within
the prison. These articles helps in solving social problems and effectively take necessary steps to
improve the management of the prison. There seems to be a positive influence of articles on the
researcher. I have understood the need of change in the prison to provide effective social services
to the prisoner with utmost dignity and respect.

Heading 4 Critical reflection of contribution
The first research articles has helped me in understanding the aspects associated with the
key principles which are related with the good management of the prison. I have also critically
examined with the help of carrying out qualitative analysis is that, it helps in gaining wider set of
perspective related with the key limitation which acts as a barrier in good management of the
prison is associated with the lack of skills and knowledge of the workers at prison. This in turn
largely influence the good management of prison. As per the second articles, one of the major
limitation related with the research is that, over-crowdedness, design of the prison, minor
disputes, physical environment, gang rivalries, etc. in turn largely contributes to the violent
attacks. One of the key advantage related with this article is setting clear set of regulation, rules,
laws and procedures for fair and just treatment of the prisoners. As per the third article, one of
the major limitation is inexperienced staff and inadequate training to employees results in
violence. I have evaluated that, situational prevention strategies, adequate training to the staff,
institutional reforms, effective management practices, etc. helps in reducing violence.

References
Books and Journals
Coyle, A. and University of London. International Centre for Prison Studies, 2002. Managing
prisons in a time of change. London: International Centre for Prison Studies.
Nelson Mandela, P., A Human Rights Approach to Prison Management.
Press, H., Homel, R. and Thompson, C., Causes and Prevention of Violence in Prisons.
Coyle, A. and Fair, H., 2018. A human rights approach to prison management: Handbook for
prison staff. Institute for Criminal Policy Research Birkbeck, University of London.
Fleisher, M., 2017. Prison gangs, street gangs: A critique of theories of prison violence and
prison research methodologies: Very rough draft. Street Gangs: A Critique of Theories of
Prison Violence and Prison Research Methodologies: Very Rough Draft (October 27,
2017).
Skar, M and et.al., 2019. Quality of prison life, violence and mental health in Dubrava
prison. International journal of prisoner health.
Vejvodová, P. and Kolář, O., 2019. Training prison staff to recognize inmate
radicalisation. Security Journal, pp.1-13.
Online
Managing prisons in a time of change. 2020. [ONLINE]. Available
through:<https://www.prisonstudies.org/sites/default/files/resources/downloads/
managing_prisons_0.pdf>