“Grounds for a Ride Out”: Understanding the Role Housing Challenges Play in Prison Rule Violations

Abstract Very few studies examine housing assignments in prison and their relationship to the experiences of incarcerated persons (IPs). Studies that do examine housing have tended to focus on the overall architecture of the prison, special housing assignments such as restrictive housing or segregation, overcrowding, or forced cell sharing (typically as a consequence of overcrowding). However, housing assignments “as usual” have received little attention. In fact, we know very little about the impact housing assignments can have on an IP's experience in prison, such as their overall well-being, misconduct, and rehabilitation. This study examines the link between housing issues and challenges in Ohio prisons and their relationship to prison misconduct using observational data of disciplinary hearings ( N = 377). Three main types of housing-related concerns emerge during disciplinary hearings: 1) accommodation preferences, 2) issue avoidance, and 3) interpersonal conflict. Several housing policy recommendations are posed in response to these findings.