"Deaf behind bars": a global scoping review on the situation and experiences of detained people with hearing impairment
"Deaf behind bars": a global scoping review on the situation and experiences of detained people with hearing impairment
PURPOSE: The global prison population is rising, with over 11.5 million people in prison on any given day. Very little is known about hearing impairment in prison populations, despite prisons being a sound-centric closed environment. This study, a scoping review, aims to map and describe what is known about the situation and experiences of detained people with hearing impairment.
DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: This study is a global scoping review. A comprehensive search confined to the English language was conducted on Web of Science, Scopus and PsycINFO with no date restriction. The final data set of 28 records was charted and analysed thematically.
FINDINGS: Four themes were interpretation deficits in the criminal justice process; detachment, inability to communicate and isolation in the prison soundscape; prison staff communication challenges and discriminatory views; and hearing health in prison.
ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The review is intended to inform the formulation of auditory disability-inclusive criminal justice strategies and practices to support those with hearing impairment when navigating the system.
Humans, Hearing Loss/epidemiology, Persons with Hearing Disabilities/psychology, Prisoners/psychology, Prisons/organization & administration
206-217
Thomas, Libby
208235c1-e6fb-4494-a9dc-5b768eca8001
Plugge, Emma
b64d2086-6cf2-4fae-98bf-6aafa3115b35
Van Hout, Marie Claire
65aa6f90-32e2-486a-8d78-20ba9d590526
29 April 2025
Thomas, Libby
208235c1-e6fb-4494-a9dc-5b768eca8001
Plugge, Emma
b64d2086-6cf2-4fae-98bf-6aafa3115b35
Van Hout, Marie Claire
65aa6f90-32e2-486a-8d78-20ba9d590526
Thomas, Libby, Plugge, Emma and Van Hout, Marie Claire
(2025)
"Deaf behind bars": a global scoping review on the situation and experiences of detained people with hearing impairment.
International Journal of Prison Health, 21 (2), .
(doi:10.1108/IJOPH-01-2025-0002).
Abstract
PURPOSE: The global prison population is rising, with over 11.5 million people in prison on any given day. Very little is known about hearing impairment in prison populations, despite prisons being a sound-centric closed environment. This study, a scoping review, aims to map and describe what is known about the situation and experiences of detained people with hearing impairment.
DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: This study is a global scoping review. A comprehensive search confined to the English language was conducted on Web of Science, Scopus and PsycINFO with no date restriction. The final data set of 28 records was charted and analysed thematically.
FINDINGS: Four themes were interpretation deficits in the criminal justice process; detachment, inability to communicate and isolation in the prison soundscape; prison staff communication challenges and discriminatory views; and hearing health in prison.
ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The review is intended to inform the formulation of auditory disability-inclusive criminal justice strategies and practices to support those with hearing impairment when navigating the system.
This record has no associated files available for download.
More information
Accepted/In Press date: 5 March 2025
Published date: 29 April 2025
Additional Information:
© Emerald Publishing Limited.
Keywords:
Humans, Hearing Loss/epidemiology, Persons with Hearing Disabilities/psychology, Prisoners/psychology, Prisons/organization & administration
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 510850
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/510850
ISSN: 2977-0254
PURE UUID: dffa7715-1117-43e5-b27c-3b14fcc7d07a
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 22 Apr 2026 16:59
Last modified: 25 Apr 2026 02:44
Export record
Altmetrics
Contributors
Author:
Libby Thomas
Author:
Marie Claire Van Hout
Download statistics
Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.
View more statistics
