ABSTRACT
Corrections scholars have long contemplated the roots of prison violence, identifying importation, deprivation, and poor institutional management as the three main processes by which prison violence evolves (Levan, 2013; Steiner, Butler, & Ellison, 2014). What the literature lacks is a theoretical model of how a proclivity toward involvement in violence during the term of incarceration—whether imported, learned due to the effects of total institution deprivation, or resulting from prison management style—may serve as a collateral consequence of imprisonment if the culture of prison violence is exported home by citizens reentering communities after a term of imprisonment. Those incarcerated are exposed to, and many participate in, the culture of violence during their period of incarceration and such susceptibility toward violence diffuses beyond prison walls, negatively impacting formerly incarcerated persons’ reentry experiences, which can be detrimental to the safety of the community. If returning citizens bring the culture of prison violence to the streets, it is likely to inhibit the reentry process by escalating their risk of recidivating. This personal collateral consequence of incarceration may also result in negative sequelae in the community through an increase in exposure to violence. With a growing number of citizens leaving correctional institutions and returning to communities following unprecedented policy decisions aimed at decreasing prison populations, the potential for the exportation of prison violence is rising, suggesting a renewed focus on the culture of prison violence is needed.
In this chapter, we examine the literature on the origins of prison violence and explore the culture of violence within the carceral setting. We then propose a theoretical model of how prison violence may be exported by formerly incarcerated persons upon reentry, and others who come into contact with this environment, serving as a collateral consequence to the imprisonment experience and contributing to the normalization of violence in communities. We conclude with a discussion on future research and policy directions for mitigating exportation of violence from prisons to the community.
