I push, therefore I Am: On the role of bodybuilding and performance-enhancing drugs in prison

The present contribution provides an overview of the issue of performance-enhancing drug use, in particular anabolic steroids, among inmates. The results are based on a qualitative research carried out in four French-speaking prisons in Belgium. Twenty-eight interviews were undertaken with prisoners and prison staff members (directors and prison guards). Our results show that while anabolic steroids are used within prison, their use is marginal compared to that of other drugs. This consumption is strongly tied to bodybuilding activities, which then illustrates how central and symbolic the body is in the prison culture. Our results also emphasize the lack of a global integrated sports policy in prison, despite the numerous challenges raised by this issue both for health and safety.