{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,2]],"date-time":"2026-05-02T09:28:17Z","timestamp":1777714097393,"version":"3.51.4"},"reference-count":51,"publisher":"SAGE Publications","issue":"6-7","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2019,12,24]],"date-time":"2019-12-24T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1577145600000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/page\/policies\/text-and-data-mining-license"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["journals.sagepub.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2020,5]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>The representation of women classified as maximum-security offenders continues to be a challenge due to paucity of research regarding their experiences. Generally, their stories are masked under the experiences of the other categories of incarcerated women. Drawing from a larger study conducted with incarcerated women in a South African correctional centre in Johannesburg, in this article I provide a thematic analysis of in-depth interviews on the lived experiences of negotiating the maximum-security offender identity by 13 women. The results suggest that the maximum-security offender identity is associated with rejection, dehumanisation, denial of agency, restricted movement, and labelling. The article also highlights the significance of providing agency to incarcerated women in deconstructing stereotypes that represent them as angry and uneducated with no value to society. A more balanced repositioning of their stories emerges as they get an opportunity to construct their own experiences.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1177\/0306624x19895974","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2019,12,25]],"date-time":"2019-12-25T00:52:26Z","timestamp":1577235146000},"page":"691-707","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/sage-journals-update-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":4,"title":["Negotiating the Maximum-Security Offender Identity: Experiences From Incarcerated Women"],"prefix":"10.1177","volume":"64","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0341-209X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Sibulelo","family":"Qhogwana","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, South Africa"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"179","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2019,12,24]]},"reference":[{"key":"bibr1-0306624X19895974","first-page":"79","volume":"14","author":"Africa A.","year":"2010","journal-title":"Feminist Africa"},{"issue":"2","key":"bibr2-0306624X19895974","first-page":"6658","volume":"13","author":"Agboola C.","year":"2015","journal-title":"Gender & Behaviour"},{"issue":"1","key":"bibr3-0306624X19895974","first-page":"1","volume":"31","author":"Agboola C.","year":"2018","journal-title":"Acta Criminologica: Southern African Journal of Criminology"},{"issue":"4","key":"bibr4-0306624X19895974","first-page":"1","volume":"30","author":"Artz L.","year":"2017","journal-title":"Acta Criminologica: Southern African Journal of Criminology"},{"key":"bibr5-0306624X19895974","unstructured":"Artz L., Hoffman-Wanderer Y., Moult K. (2012). Hard time(s): Women\u2019s pathways to crime and incarceration [Adobe Digital Editions Version]. Retrieved from http:\/\/www.ghjru.uct.ac.za\/sites\/default\/files\/image_tool\/images\/242\/documents\/hard_times.pdf"},{"key":"bibr6-0306624X19895974","unstructured":"Artz L., Moult K., Hoffman-Wanderer Y., Colpitts E., Meer T., Aschman G. (2013). Submission to the parliamentary Portfolio Committee for Correctional Services on the Department of Correctional Services\u2019 and the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services\u2019 annual reports. Retrieved from http:\/\/www.ghjru.uct.ac.za\/sites\/default\/files\/image_tool\/images\/242\/parliamentary\/Submission_on_DCS_and_JICS_Annual_Reports.pdf"},{"key":"bibr7-0306624X19895974","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Barlow C. (2015). Silencing the other: Gendered representations of co-accused women offenders. The Howard Journal of Criminal Justice, 54(5), 469\u2013488. Retrieved from https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/hojo.12145","DOI":"10.1111\/hojo.12145"},{"key":"bibr8-0306624X19895974","unstructured":"Bloom B., Owen B., Covington S., Raeder M. (2003). Gender-responsive programming for women offenders: Guiding principles and practices. Retrieved from https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/static.nicic.gov\/Library\/018017.pdf"},{"key":"bibr9-0306624X19895974","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bove A., Tryon R. (2018). The power of storytelling: The experiences of incarcerated women sharing their stories. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 62(15), 4814\u20134833. Retrieved from https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0306624X18785100","DOI":"10.1177\/0306624X18785100"},{"key":"bibr10-0306624X19895974","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1191\/1478088706qp063oa"},{"key":"bibr11-0306624X19895974","volume-title":"Prison and jail administration: Practice and theory","author":"Carlson P. M.","year":"2008"},{"key":"bibr12-0306624X19895974","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Casey R. J. (2018). Hard time: A content analysis of incarcerated women\u2019s personal accounts. Affilia: Journal of Women and Social Work, 33(1), 126\u2013138. Retrieved from https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0886109917718233","DOI":"10.1177\/0886109917718233"},{"issue":"1","key":"bibr13-0306624X19895974","first-page":"5297","volume":"11","author":"Dastile N. P.","year":"2013","journal-title":"Gender & Behaviour"},{"issue":"1","key":"bibr14-0306624X19895974","first-page":"1","volume":"27","author":"Dastile N. P.","year":"2014","journal-title":"Acta Criminologica: Southern African Journal of Criminology"},{"issue":"3","key":"bibr15-0306624X19895974","first-page":"9722","volume":"15","author":"Dastile N. P.","year":"2017","journal-title":"Gender & Behaviour"},{"key":"bibr16-0306624X19895974","unstructured":"Dissel A. (1996). South African prison conditions: The inmates talk. Imbizo, 2, 4\u201310. Retrieved from https:\/\/csvr.org.za\/index.php\/publications\/1364-south-africas-prison-conditions-the-inmates-talk.html"},{"key":"bibr17-0306624X19895974","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.7748\/nr2006.04.13.3.7.c5975"},{"key":"bibr18-0306624X19895974","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/10462937.2014.975271"},{"key":"bibr19-0306624X19895974","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Fili A. (2013). Women in prison: Victims or resisters? Representations of agency in women\u2019s prisons in Greece. Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society, 39(1), 1\u201326. Retrieved from https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1086\/670862","DOI":"10.1086\/670862"},{"key":"bibr20-0306624X19895974","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Fryer L. J. (2006). Silenced voices: Stories of incarcerated women. Women\u2019s Studies, 35, 545\u2013565. Retrieved from https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/00497870600809756","DOI":"10.1080\/00497870600809756"},{"key":"bibr21-0306624X19895974","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/0306624X05282890"},{"key":"bibr22-0306624X19895974","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Grossi L. M. (2017). Sexual offenders, violent offenders, and community re-entry: Challenges and treatment considerations. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 34, 59\u201367. Retrieved from https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.avb.2017.04.005","DOI":"10.1016\/j.avb.2017.04.005"},{"key":"bibr23-0306624X19895974","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hall G., Whittle M., Field C. (2016). Themes in judges\u2019 sentencing remarks for male and female domestic murderers. Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, 23(3), 395\u2013412. Retrieved from https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/13218719.2015.1080142","DOI":"10.1080\/13218719.2015.1080142"},{"key":"bibr24-0306624X19895974","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Herbig F. J. W., Hesselink A. M. E. (2016). Seeing the person, not just the number: Needs-based rehabilitation of offenders in South African correctional centres. South African Crime Quarterly, 41, 29\u201337. Retrieved from https:\/\/doi.org\/10.17159\/2413-3108\/2012\/v0i41a838","DOI":"10.17159\/2413-3108\/2012\/v0i41a838"},{"key":"bibr25-0306624X19895974","first-page":"65","volume":"1","author":"Hesselink A.","year":"2010","journal-title":"Acta Criminologica: Southern African Journal of Criminology"},{"key":"bibr26-0306624X19895974","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hesselink A., Dastile N. P. (2015). A criminological assessment on South African women who murdered their intimate male partners. Journal of Psychology in Africa, 25(4), 335\u2013344. Retrieved from https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/14330237.2015.1078091","DOI":"10.1080\/14330237.2015.1078091"},{"key":"bibr27-0306624X19895974","first-page":"36","volume":"2","author":"Hesselink A.","year":"2014","journal-title":"Acta Criminologica: Southern African Journal of Criminology"},{"key":"bibr28-0306624X19895974","unstructured":"Jagmohan K. (2018, October 21). Convicted murderer Nicolette Lotter marries in prison. The Mercury News. Retrieved from https:\/\/www.msn.com\/en-za\/news\/national\/convicted-murderer-nicolette-lotter-marries-in-prison\/ar-BBOFBFl?ocid=spartanntp"},{"key":"bibr29-0306624X19895974","unstructured":"Jules-Macquet R. (2014). The state of South African correctional centres (Edition 1: NICRO Publication Series). Retrieved from http:\/\/press.nicro.org.za\/images\/PDF\/Public-Education-Paper-The-State-of-South-African-Prisons-2014.pdf"},{"key":"bibr30-0306624X19895974","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1745-9125.2006.00051.x"},{"key":"bibr31-0306624X19895974","unstructured":"Labane A. (2012). Offender classification as a rehabilitation tool [Unpublished master\u2019s thesis]. University of South Africa."},{"key":"bibr32-0306624X19895974","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4135\/9781412985253"},{"key":"bibr33-0306624X19895974","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1163\/157181708X333364"},{"issue":"3","key":"bibr34-0306624X19895974","first-page":"88","volume":"23","author":"Luyt W. F. M.","year":"2010","journal-title":"Acta Criminologica: Southern African Journal of Criminology"},{"key":"bibr35-0306624X19895974","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/089124397011003005"},{"key":"bibr36-0306624X19895974","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Moore K. E., Milam K. C., Folk J. B., Tangney J. P. (2018). Self-stigma among criminal offenders: Risk and protective factors. Stigma and Health, 3(3), 241\u2013252. Retrieved from https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1037\/sah0000092","DOI":"10.1037\/sah0000092"},{"issue":"2","key":"bibr37-0306624X19895974","first-page":"98","volume":"2","author":"Patnaik E.","year":"2013","journal-title":"Humanities and Social Science Studies"},{"key":"bibr38-0306624X19895974","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Pollack S. (2016). Building bridges: Experiential and integrative learning in a Canadian women\u2019s prison. Journal of Teaching in Social Work, 36(5), 503\u2013518. Retrieved from https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/08841233.2016.1242523","DOI":"10.1080\/08841233.2016.1242523"},{"issue":"1","key":"bibr39-0306624X19895974","first-page":"67","volume":"28","author":"Prinsloo J.","year":"2015","journal-title":"Acta Criminologica: Southern African Journal of Criminology"},{"key":"bibr40-0306624X19895974","unstructured":"Qhogwana S. A. (2017). \u201cWe are human too\u201d: A narrative analysis of rehabilitation experiences by women classified as maximum security offenders in the Johannesburg Correctional Centre [Unpublished master\u2019s thesis]. University of South Africa."},{"key":"bibr41-0306624X19895974","first-page":"215","volume":"11","author":"Sandoval C. L.","year":"2017","journal-title":"Journal of Ethnographic & Qualitative Research"},{"key":"bibr42-0306624X19895974","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Schram P. J., Koons-Witt B. A., Morash M. (2004). Management strategies when working with female prisoners. Women & Criminal Justice, 15(2), 25\u201350. Retrieved from https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1300\/J012v15n02_02","DOI":"10.1300\/J012v15n02_02"},{"key":"bibr43-0306624X19895974","volume-title":"Corrections: A comprehensive view","author":"Silverman I. J.","year":"2001","edition":"2"},{"key":"bibr44-0306624X19895974","unstructured":"Sloth-Nielsen J. (2005). Women and prisons in South Africa (CSPRI Newsletter No 9). Retrieved from https:\/\/acjr.org.za\/resource-centre\/9%20-%20February%202005.pdf"},{"issue":"4","key":"bibr45-0306624X19895974","first-page":"33","volume":"30","author":"Steyn F.","year":"2017","journal-title":"Acta Criminologica: Southern African Journal of Criminology"},{"issue":"1","key":"bibr46-0306624X19895974","first-page":"77","volume":"6","author":"Thompson S. B.","year":"2011","journal-title":"Journal of Administration and Governance"},{"key":"bibr47-0306624X19895974","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Tufford L., Newman P. (2010). Bracketing in qualitative research. Qualitative Social Work, 11(1), 80\u201396. Retrieved from https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/1473325010368316","DOI":"10.1177\/1473325010368316"},{"key":"bibr48-0306624X19895974","volume-title":"Classification of women offenders: A national assessment of current practices","author":"Van Voorhis P.","year":"2001"},{"key":"bibr49-0306624X19895974","first-page":"134","volume-title":"Human rights in African correctional centres","author":"Vetten L.","year":"2008"},{"key":"bibr50-0306624X19895974","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"White G. D. (2012). Gender-responsive programs in U.S. correctional centres: Implications for change. Social Work in Public Health, 27(3), 283\u2013300. Retrieved from https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/19371918.2012.629875","DOI":"10.1080\/19371918.2012.629875"},{"key":"bibr51-0306624X19895974","unstructured":"White Paper on Corrections. (2005). Government Printers."}],"container-title":["International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/0306624X19895974","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/full-xml\/10.1177\/0306624X19895974","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/0306624X19895974","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,29]],"date-time":"2026-04-29T10:10:05Z","timestamp":1777457405000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/10.1177\/0306624X19895974"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2019,12,24]]},"references-count":51,"journal-issue":{"issue":"6-7","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2020,5]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1177\/0306624X19895974"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0306624x19895974","relation":{},"ISSN":["0306-624X","1552-6933"],"issn-type":[{"value":"0306-624X","type":"print"},{"value":"1552-6933","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2019,12,24]]}}}