Indirect and Psychological Victimization in Prison: The Role of Staff and Incarcerated Persons Interactions in Shaping Perceptions of Safety

Although victimization in prison has been widely studied, most research emphasizes physical or sexual violence and overlooks subtle, indirect harms. Interactions between correctional staff and incarcerated persons reinforce power hierarchies that contribute to psychological distress and fear of victimization. This study examines how such interactions between staff and incarcerated persons shape experiences of indirect and psychological victimization in a U.S. prison. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with a convenience sample of 39 incarcerated persons and 56 staff members employed in a medium-security Midwest institution, we explore the nuanced interactions between these groups. The research explores the prevalence of non-assaultive forms of victimization, including verbal abuse, personal property conflict, vicarious trauma, and the resulting hypervigilance. By centering the lived experiences of both groups, this study extends understandings of “pains of imprisonment” and calls for expanded frameworks to conceptualize and address non-physical forms of harm, fostering safer and more humane correctional environments.