Abstract
A mixed-methods approach was used to study the dual nature of legitimacy in the Slovenian prison environment, and to test the applicability of the model of the dual nature of legitimacy in the prison environment of a post-socialist country. The qualitative part of the study was implemented over a period of six months when structured interviews were conducted with prisoners and prison workers in all Slovenian prisons and the correctional home. The analysis of interviews was conducted in four stages (Mesec 1998): (1) editing the materials; (2) determining the coding units; (3) open coding; and (4) selection of relevant concepts and categories. The quantitative part of the study was implemented over a three-month period when surveying was conducted with every prison worker (except for managerial staff) and prisoners who agreed to participate in the study in all Slovenian prison and the correctional home. Data from the completed questionnaires were entered into the SPSS program, with which statistical analyses were performed.
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Notes
- 1.
The qualitative findings of the research provided a source for a detailed interpretation of quantitative findings that present the framework of the study. Especially, qualitative findings provided detailed information on differences in prisoners’ perception of different types of prison workers (i.e., specialized workers, prison officers, and management) and the typical behavior of prison workers in daily interactions with prisoners.
- 2.
Due to the scope of the questionnaire, the time limit for conducting the study and targeted size of the sample, researchers decided to use structured interviews instead of semi-structured interviews.
- 3.
All participants who decided to take part in the study had to be older than 18 years of age, since the relevant Slovene legislation (Marriage and Family Relations Act) stipulates that a person is granted fully legal capacity after reaching the age of majority (Zakon o zakonski zvezi in družinskih razmerjih 2004).
- 4.
Copes et al. (2012) found that even though researchers consider ethical standards and ensure confidentiality to prisoners participating in the study, they often mislead them in order to obtain benefits from prison workers, and at the same time do not dare to be honest due to the consequences of their answers (Jacques and Wright 2008, 2010; Polsky 1998). Similar behavior patterns can be found with prison workers, who provide socially desirable answers in order to endear superiors or to avoid negative consequences, or to conceal their own impotence or inappropriate treatment of prisoners.
- 5.
In order to get familiar with the prison environment and prison work, researchers decided to conduct qualitative research first. It was of utmost importance that prison workers and prisoners got familiar with researchers, both for the continuation of the study and preparedness of prison actors to participate.
- 6.
The context of the study was presented in the following ways: (1) to the group of prisoners who gathered in a common rooms (e.g., dining hall, classroom, meeting room, etc.); (2) to the group of prison workers at the daily meetings; (3) to individual prisoners in their cells; and (4) to individual prison workers and senior managers in their offices.
- 7.
At the beginning of conducting the interviews, a permission of respondents to use a voice recorder was solicited. As most interviewees rejected this option, a decision was made to use the method of “paper and pencil” survey questionnaires.
- 8.
The context of the study was presented in the following ways: (1) to the group of prisoners who gathered in a common rooms (e.g., dining hall, classroom, meeting room, etc.); (2) to the group of prison workers at the daily meetings; (3) to individual prisoners in their cells; and (4) to individual prison workers and senior managers in their respective offices.
- 9.
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Hacin, R., Meško, G. (2020). Methodology. In: The Dual Nature of Legitimacy in the Prison Environment. SpringerBriefs in Criminology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32843-6_6
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