NCJ Number
199662
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 31 Issue: 2 Dated: March/April 2003 Pages: 107-117
Date Published
March 2003
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the determinants of inmate misconduct.
Abstract
Three models have emerged regarding what determines inmate conduct: deprivation, importation, and administrative control. Researchers traditionally focused on the importation and deprivation models. The deprivation model states that inmate behavior is a product of prison environment. The importation perspective states that an inmate's pre-prison socialization is important and influences the inmate social structure and adaptation to the prison environment. Administrative control theory states that prison management is an important determinant of inmate misconduct. The administrative control model concentrates on management's use of various control mechanisms, such as discipline and programming, to curb inmate misconduct. The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis deduced from the administrative control model and to examine the role of remunerative and coercive controls. The sample data included information collected through interviews with 13,986 inmates within 272 State correctional facilities during June, July, and August 1991. Hierarchical linear modeling was used as the primary analytic technique. Results show that remunerative controls can mediate the effects of traditional determinants of inmate assault. It is unclear why remunerative control measures had varying effects on different forms of assault. There may be an interaction between remunerative control and culture. Further research is needed to understand the true nature of this relationship. This study did not support the use of coercive controls as an effective management tool. They do suggest that renumeration can serve as an important resource for managers in curbing assaultive behavior in prison. Balanced authority is also important. Future research should combine inmate and aggregate prison models to further understand the interaction between different forms of prison management, inmate culture, and individual inmate behaviors. 3 tables, 2 appendices, 43 references