NCJ Number
133919
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 18 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1991) Pages: 427-447
Date Published
1991
Length
21 pages
Annotation
Random samples of both staff and inmates at the Federal Corrections Institution (FCI) at Butner, North Carolina were interviewed both before and after a rapid doubling in the prison population occurred to ascertain the impact of the population growth on staff and inmate expectations and attitudes.
Abstract
The findings show that the transition was relatively smooth. There were few significant increases in measures of negative behavior effects on inmates including rates of rule infractions, reporting to sick call, and formal complaints filed. There were also few changes in staff job satisfaction or in staff and and inmate attitudes toward policies, procedures, programs, services, and staff responsiveness. Expectations of increased violence and tighter security practices were not substantiated. However, the data did show the rate of rule infractions increased for violent offenders. The study suggested that prison officials may want to limit changes in security practices. The result emphasize the importance of inmate programs and services as dimensions to consider in studying prison crowding. Longitudinal information on the process of crowding is needed to assess if there is a threshold point at which population sizes associated with certain institutional profiles, inmate programs, or custodial policies result in negative impacts on inmates and staff. 7 tables, 8 notes, and 28 references