Social relationships between prisoners in a maximum security prison: Violence, faith, and the declining nature of trust

► Decline in levels of trust among prisoners and staff found in UK maximum security prison. ► Faith, faith identities, and fears of radicalisation affected prisoner social life. ► Relationships were fractured and the traditional prison hierarchy had dissolved. ► Long sentences, fears of radicalisation, and shifting power bases led to higher fear. ► Religion had become an identifier and 'cover' for violent disputes between prisoners.