• Grafters – these are found in relatively small numbers on almost every wing. They spend most of their time each day trying to make money from trading canteen items or drugs. Many are just benefitting from the existence of an internal market, satisfying the demands of fellow prisoners. However, others tend to exploit more vulnerable prisoners who become reliant on the grafters without necessarily having the means to pay. Inevitably, such vulnerable individuals begin to accumulate debt and the grafter then has cause to add interest or use the threatening services of a debt collector.

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• Debt collectors – these are likely to be aggressive and intimidating; they are well known on the wing, with a reputation that precedes them. They exhibit a ‘nothing to lose’ attitude and are very confident that the debt will be resolved, by force if necessary. They are usually approached by grafters to reclaim unpaid debt for goods, or they act as an enforcer in return for payment or, in some cases, just favouritism. Debt collectors will always justify their actions by bragging to other prisoners about the success of their actions and the power they wield.

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• Common bullies – these are easily recognised, exhibiting behaviour adopted by many in the prison system. These bullies will name-call, be aggressive for no apparent reason, and enjoy making others feel uncomfortable. Due to receiving little or no resources from family or friends, they seek compensation by preying on the vulnerable and, especially, first timers. Common bullies will often befriend potential victims, testing for weaknesses before increasing the level of manipulation the more vulnerable the victim appears. Common bullies are often able to conceal overt bullying and, if confronted, usually deny bullying someone who otherwise might appear to be a friend. Common bullies will often employ threatening behaviour in order to obtain items as insignificant as milk, vape caps or additional food from the prisoners’ canteen.

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• Switchers – switchers are more sophisticated, their actions more premeditated. They will consciously form apparently trusting relationships that are then turned to their advantage by inciting a disagreement, redefining the relationship as one of perpetrator / victim. Switchers are skilled manipulators, purely motivated by self-interest, usually with the objective of obtaining money from their victims or other relatively high value possessions.

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• King of the wing – this bully is able to exert control over the wing because of a reputation that is often based on a combination of fear and an assertive personality. He may use other bullies to exert his will if considered necessary but, equally, might discourage a culture of bullying if it undermines his authority, leading to a wing being occasionally free of bullying altogether. However, a ‘king’ can elect to be a dominant bully, with money, high-value items and favours in return of protecting the more vulnerable prisoners