“They’re All Up in the Gym and All That, Tops Off, Fake Tan.” Embodied Masculinities, Bodywork and Resistance Within Two British Prisons

Self-detoxification, embodiment and masculinity: a qualitative analysis of dependent heroin users’ experiences of coming off drugs in prison

“…The hierarchical nature of prisoner social relations and the expectations on male bodies within the prison social environment is viewed in the literature through the conceptual lens of hegemonic masculinity (Crewe, 2005: Maguire, 2019Maycock, 2018). Masculinity is understood within this framework as "configurations of practices that are accomplished in social action" (Connell and Messerschmidt, 2005, p. 836).…”

“…The focus on social action shifts attention away from personality traits or biology and onto what male bodies do in practice. The hegemonic masculine body prioritises aggression, power, control, competition and emotional suppression in social action (Maycock, 2018). Hegemonic masculinity symbolises "the currently most honoured way of being a man" and it requires "all other men to position themselves in relation to it" (Connell and Messerschmidt, 2005, p. 832).…”

“…Nevertheless, male prisoners position themselves in relation to the prisoner social hierarchy by engaging in different masculine performances (de Viggiani, 2018;Jewkes, 2005). The masculine performance of muscularity, physical strength and toughness of the male body has received the most attention (Maguire, 2019;Maycock, 2018). These visible features of hegemonic masculinity are viewed as key signifiers of masculine power and shows other prisoners that they are someone not to get into conflict with (Jewkes, 2005;Maycock, 2018).…”

“…The masculine performance of muscularity, physical strength and toughness of the male body has received the most attention (Maguire, 2019;Maycock, 2018). These visible features of hegemonic masculinity are viewed as key signifiers of masculine power and shows other prisoners that they are someone not to get into conflict with (Jewkes, 2005;Maycock, 2018). In contrast, some prisoners minimise their bodily presence by keeping their head down and maintaining a low profile around other prisoners.…”

“…Jason described a couple of situations when a prisoner paused as he walked past his prison cell, and in response to the smell emanating from it, called him a "fucking smack rat". Here, smell can be understood as part of the symbolic order of the prisoner society (Maycock, 2018). The smell of heroin on the body is an additional way that bodies reveal their subordinated masculinity to other prisoners.…”