“They Take it Out on All of Us”: Collective Punishment in Carceral Spaces

Legitimacy plays a crucial role in fostering order in prisons. When carceral staff are perceived as just, residents are more likely to follow institutional rules. Achieving procedural legitimacy is complicated by systemic barriers, including the use of collective punishment. Collective punishment is the sanctioning of a group because of the actions of one individual. Collective punishment can compromise rehabilitation and diminish procedural fairness. This study explores perceptions of collective punishment by analyzing data from interviews with residents and staff across eight prisons in four states. Findings reveal that residents and staff recognize collective punishment as pervasive. Residents report strain and injustice, whereas staff express concerns about its unintended consequences. The findings suggest that when punishment is indiscriminate, it undermines authority. By situating these findings within broader discussions on procedural legitimacy across hierarchical institutions, this research highlights the need for policies that prioritize fairness and targeted disciplinary measures over collective punishment.