Intersecting modalities of prison violence and self-harm in incarcerated women

Abstract

The present study investigates the structural dynamics of violence among incarcerated women, shaped by gender-linked trauma histories, fluid peer hierarchies, and discretionary staff authority, in a context where quantitative mapping remains limited. A cross-sectional survey of 84 women in a medium-security Czech women's prison, using a study-specific, pilot-tested questionnaire, assessed the prevalence of verbal and physical aggression across inmate-on-inmate, staff-on-inmate, and inmate-on-staff interactions, alongside incidents of self-harm. Associations were analyzed using Fisher's exact test, Cramér's V, and Cohen's κ. Verbal aggression emerged as the predominant form of violence, with staff-related aggression occurring infrequently. Concordance analysis identified discrete high-risk microsocial clusters characterized by the convergence of peer hostility, adversarial staff relationships, and self-injurious behavior. Frequent physical aggression and self-harm exhibited a mutually reinforcing relationship. Increased age was associated with greater involvement in verbal conflict, whereas repeated incarceration predicted heightened exposure to staff force. Women engaging in self-harm demonstrated the highest overall exposure to violence across all modalities. These findings indicate that violence is structured rather than diffuse, circulating through interactional circuits where linguistic antagonism, physical aggression, and self-injury intersect. The results underscore the need for peer-mediated de-escalation strategies and trauma-informed interventions specifically targeted at recidivists and individuals with self-harming behaviors.