Women in care : A qualitative study about how norms and power structures affect the Swedish Prison and Probation Service

The purpose of this study is to examine the relation between the professional role of women in Prison and Probation Service and a qualitative equality perspective, as well as how they are treated by male colleagues and clients. In the annual report from Swedish Prison and Probation Service, it has been stated that the gender distribution is equal, which indicates quantitative equality. This study is based on a qualitative method, where interviews have been conducted with nine women between 25 and 65, who are working in custody or prison. The women have been given a chance to talk about their feelings and thoughts about their professional role in general and how they are being treated or affected by their male colleagues and clients. The result has shown that women are far more affected by the power structures and norms. Several women mention that male colleagues see them as weaker and make judgements about their physical capabilities. They also talk about how they are more caring of their clients, whereas the men are more focused on showing their strength and superiority. Finally, the main conclusion of this study is that there is no qualitative equality because of how the male role sets the overall norm. This, in turn, significantly affects women in their professional role of the Swedish Prison and Probation Service.