Outcasts in prison: The cases of informers and sex offenders

Abstract

The literature on prisoners is extensive but tends to neglect the “outcasts among outcasts.” This article discusses how two such groups of outcasts—informers and sex offenders—are viewed by other inmates. It is argued that there is a qualitative difference in the moral condemnation of the two. This is shown in their different victim status and in that responsibility and motives are attributed differently. Furthermore, excuses can be considered for sex offenders but not for informers. While the aim of harassment for sex offenders is a sealing of status boundary, it is a sealing of norm boundary for informers. These differences as well as different levels of intensity of indignation are explained by a Simmelean analysis of group‐context and conflict. Informers are seen as traitors, i.e. having belonged to the group, while sex offenders are seen as non‐members, never having belonged to the group and not wanted as presumtive members.

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