Work

The Gendered Stigma-Vulnerability Nexus and Women Who Use Drugs Such as Spice in Prison. A Feminist Critical Realist Discourse Analysis

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This paper explores the intersection of discourses around gender, stigma and vulnerability in the context of Spice use in English women’s prisons. Using Feminist Critical Realist Discourse Analysis, the study analyzes 15 semi-structured interviews. Two themes of gendered stigma-vulnerability are explored. First, embodied and social othering and second, gender norm non-conformity. The findings highlight how vulnerability and stigma are deeply entwined with gendered expectations and power dynamics in institutional settings. While criminalized women and drug users may share such experiences, the paper highlights the distinct nexus of gendered stigma-vulnerability discourses increasing marginalization for women who use Spice in prison.

Source: Feminist Criminology

DOI: 10.1177/15570851251337733

Author: Niki Jana White

Institution: University of Gloucestershire

Language: English

Topic: Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Gender equality, Reduced inequalities, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: green

Funder: University of Greenwich