Do prisons cause radicalization? Order, leadership, political charge and violence in two maximum security prisons

Abstract Sociological studies of prisons require expanded methodologies and interdisciplinary concepts to address challenges posed by changing prisoner demographics transformed geopolitics. We aim revitalize sociological inquiry on leadership focussing the question whether cause radicalization. Our findings support those most persuasive original studies: distinct prison climates generate different hierarchies, only some which are violent. Through extensive fieldwork we explore differences between a with high levels ‘political charge’, or anger, another less, drawing extremist events that unfolded over time. contrast dangerous dynamics 1 more fluid, prosocial religious explorations facilitated 2, considering implications for radicalization studies.