Author:

Keywords:

11K1621N|11K1623N#55977196, prison, stigma, victim, victimisation, vulnerability

Abstract:

In penological literature and in human rights (soft) law, specific groups of people are often categorised as vulnerable based on characteristics, such as age, gender identity, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation or socio-economic situation. While the concept of vulnerability tends to focus on certain groups of incarcerated persons who are more likely to experience victimisation, it also allows to broaden the scope of victimisation to iatrogenic harm caused by the prison as an institution, and structural harm by societal norms which marginalise certain groups. However, the use of the concept has several limitations and generates concerns. Apart from its undefined and vague nature, three main risks related to the use of the term ‘vulnerability’ are discussed: the risk of essentialisation and oversimplification, the risk of stigmatisation and the risk of paternalism and disempowerment. This chapter invites the reader to reflect on the term ‘vulnerable’ in prisoner victimisation research and promotes a considerate use of the concept.