Diamonds Forged in Pressure: The Emergence of Black Male Leadership in Prison

This chapter explores the development and recognition of leadership among Black men in prisons in England and Wales. Prison can be a hostile environment for leadership with respect to any prisoner. We aim to show that Black male leadership in prison is not different from White men but has been obscured by long lasting stereotypes and institutionalised differences in status by ethnicity. In part this is due to the importance given to racial differences in prison, which in turn shapes perceptions of Black leadership as gang related and dangerous. We challenge this view by uncovering how such perceptions of racial difference affect prisoners’ feelings and self-image and stand in the way of Black leadership in prison. Conversely, the chapter shows how Black leadership can nonetheless emerge, through traits of bravery, confidence, and insight that together challenge racial biases and shed a much more positive light on Black leadership.