NCJ Number
27239
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 3 Issue: 1 Dated: (SPRING 1975) Pages: 33-45
Date Published
1975
Length
13 pages
Annotation
THIS STUDY EXAMINES THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE STRICTER SECURITY MEASURES INAUGURATED IN CALIFORNIA INSTITUTIONS BY COMPARING VIOLENCE RATES IN THE INSTITUTIONS BEFORE AND AFTER TIGHTER SECURITY WAS IMPOSED.
Abstract
THE STRICTER SECURITY MEASURES IN CALIFORNIA CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES WERE INSTITUTED IN AN ATTEMPT TO REDUCE PRISON VIOLENCE. MEASURES OF VIOLENCE USED IN THIS STUDY WERE THE RATE OF STABBINGS AND THE RATE OF ASSAULTS BY INMATES ON STAFF. AFTER IMPOSITION OF THE NEW SECURITY MEASURES, A SIGNIFICANT DECLINE IN THE RATE OF TOTAL STABBINGS WAS NOTED, AS WELL AS SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN STABBING PATTERNS WITHIN THE INSTITUTIONS. HOWEVER, DESPITE THE TIGHTER SECURITY MEASURES, NO SIGNIFICANT DECREASE OCCURRED IN THE RATES OF EITHER FATAL STABBINGS OR ASSAULTS BY INMATES ON STAFF. POPULATION INCREASES, CROWDING, LACK OF EXERCISE, CHANGING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE INMATE POPULATION, ATTACHMENT OF THE VIOLENT LABEL, THE NATURE OF SECURITY HOUSING, AND THE INABILITY OF CORRECTIONAL OFFICIALS TO CONTROL INMATES ARE DISCUSSED AS POSSIBLE INFLUENCES ON INSTITUTIONAL VIOLENCE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)