Locked-down, locked-up or a double lockdown for inmates? A criminological analysis on the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on inmates

Abstract

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world, as we knew it, has changed for everyone. COVID-19 has shown not to distinguish between social class, gender, qualifications, race and even law-abiding and criminal behaviour. The risk of being infected with COVID-19 and the psychosocial impact thereof on inmates, albeit functioning in an enclosed environment that endorses isolation from the rest of society, are underestimated. Imprisonment inherently necessitates a difference in controlling the infection, choice of association, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, good hygiene, communication with loved ones, and in practicing social distancing. Prisons are restricted regimes and normally not designed for social distancing. Overcrowding complicates good hygiene practices, rehabilitation, orderly behaviour, adequate emotional and psychological support and the safety and wellbeing of offenders. COVID-19, and the requirement of social distancing, influences education classes, exercise, contact with loved ones, communication, emotional turmoil, rehabilitation, and communal worshipping in prisons, thus, creating a double lockdown for offenders. Not having regular contact with loved ones and a mounting sense of isolation, frustration, anguish, distress, fear and helplessness impedes order and wellbeing in prisons and may increase prison misconduct and violence between inmates. This qualitative research employs secondary data analysis on existing national and international reports, which form the basis of this study to unpack offenders’ imprisonment realities during the lockdown period. Common themes from the data were identified, analysed and interpreted. The Coercion and Social Support Theory demonstrates how exposure to COVID-19 within a prison setting and a lack of family contact and visits exacerbate mental health problems and incite violence in prisons. Findings demonstrate a chain effect of predominantly poor prison conditions; insufficient communication with prison authorities and loved ones; inmates with pre-existing medical conditions; poor social distancing; limited access to healthcare; lack of rehabilitation and support; and limited prison activities, coupled with the threat of COVID-19, have a detrimental psychological effect on inmates, resulting in violence, unrest and riots to cope with the pandemic.