The use of force in prison settings remains a critical yet under-researched issue, both in the UK and internationally. Existing studies highlight a range of situational, organisational, officer-related, and individual factors, but empirical evidence within prison contexts is limited. This study proposes a conceptual model to deepen understanding of the factors influencing the use of force, drawing on data from 2,867 recorded incidents and survey responses from 281 Scottish Prison Service officers. Using exploratory Bayesian mixed-effect modelling, the research identifies key influences across multiple levels and integrates them into a comprehensive framework.
Explore the findings and access the full model here.