Macht im Maßnahmenvollzug: Eine qualitative Untersuchung von Macht und Widerstand in der totalen Institution des österreichischen Maßnahmenvollzugs

Abstract

This paper deals with power strategies in the Austrian forensic psychiatric commitment and with the question of how law breakers being mentally ill cope with and also challenge different power techniques within that system. Power strategies such as penalties and privileges, fixation and isolation, compulsory medication and treatment, discipline and controls, and ‘the power of perpetuity’ were identified by means of qualitative research with imprisoned clients and patients by using open coding methods. A further epistemological interest lies on the effects of these strategies on the clients, particularly their individual empowerment and their resistance strategies. Theoretical starting point is that subjects are striving for autonomy by using meaningful forms of resistance strategies with the aim to open up individual spaces of opportunities.