Prison Gender Relations through an Intersectional Lense

The proposed study intends to examine the way gender dynamics, while taking race and socioeconomic status into account, affects the relations between female inmates and correctional officers. This study would look for issues an imbalanced dynamic could create both socially and policy wise. Preliminary research has shown the potential for unfair medical practice, sexual abuse, discrimination, and improper training. The study would be qualitative in nature, and primarily done through interviews, observational research, and content analysis of the prison’s policies. Ideally the proposed research would be conducted periodically across six months in the Central California Women’s Facility. The findings of the research could potentially influence positive policy changes on prison, state, or federal level