FÖRR ELLER SENARE ÅKER NÅGON DIT - En kvalitativ studie om otillbörliga relationer inom Kriminalvården

Abstract

Aims and objectives: The aim of this study is to gain knowledge of how inappropriate relationships within the Swedish Prison and Probation Service are constructed as a social problem in policy, by prison officers and by prison inspectors, which risks are linked to the problem and how the problem is being addressed. Inappropriate relationships between staff and inmates can have serious consequences. Though, there is not much previous research about inappropriate relationships in a Swedish context. Thus, inappropriate relationships within this authority are relevant to study. Method and data: Four focus group interviews with prison officers and three individual interviews with prison inspectors were conducted; in total 25 respondents participated. Interviews were conducted at two different security class 2 prisons with male inmates. Policy documents and guidelines regarding inappropriate relationships are also a part of the empirical material. Results: Prison officers and prison inspectors construct inappropriate relationships between staff and inmates as a social problem of naïve, young, female prison officers and male inmates whom is being manipulative. However, during the interviews, this was redefined as a general-human problem based on emotions. This result differs from what is said in the policy documents and guidelines. In the documents, inappropriate relationships are constructed as a pure security risk, not based on emotions. In the documents, it is also constructed as a risk of damaging the reputation of the Swedish Prison and Probation Service. The result of this study also shows that inappropriate relationships create uncertainty and insecurity in the workgroup. The silent organization leads to rumours being spread, which leads to the fact that stories about inappropriate relationships remains for a long time, and so will the consequences.