-18 2.UNDERSTANDING PRISON VIOLENCE 2.1. Defining violence The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines violence as ‘[t]he intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation.’11 This definition of violence includes physical force, but also the threat of physical violence, sexual violence, psychological harm or manipulation. By referring to ‘the use of power’, it also includes acts that result from power relationships, such as neglect or acts of omission, which are not always directly visible. When thinking of prison violence, physical violence is the first thing that comes to mind. Yet, especially when addressing the prevention of violence in places of detention, it is important to think of violence from a holistic perspective, acknowledging all relevant factors that contribute to its occurrence. This handbook thus works with a broad definition of violence, including not only direct but also structural and cultural violence.12 Figure 1: Triangle of violence 11. WHO, World Report on Violence and Health (2002) 5. The same definition is used in parts to define violence in Council of Europe (CoE), Committee of Ministers (CM), Recommendation CM/REC (2014)3 Concerning Dangerous Offenders (2014) CM/Rec (2014)3 [hereinafter: CM/Rec (2014)3]. 12. Johan Galtung, ‘Violence, Peace, and Peace Research’ (1969) 6(3) Journal of Peace Research (JPR) 167–191.

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