NCJ Number
78384
Journal
Journal of Clinical Psychology Volume: 37 Issue: 2 Dated: (April 1981) Pages: 423-425
Date Published
1981
Length
3 pages
Annotation
A factor analytic study was conducted using 200 adult male inmates of a southern correctional facility to identify clusters of demographic and behavioral variables associated with various types of prisoners.
Abstract
The subjects included 122 white prisoners and 78 black prisoners, most of whom were imprisoned for property crimes. All were serving or had served at least 1 year and were interviewed at a prerelease center. Subjects were interviewed individually by a team of 4 interviewers, who used a standardized data collection form that consisted of 99 structured categories. Information was obtained on such subjects as significant interpersonal relationships, educational history, personal preferences for leisure activities, views on the handling of money, and type of parental discipline. Relevant data from the prisoner's files were obtained with permission, and covered such areas as the reason for the present incarceration and offense slips. A total of 48 demographic and behavioral variables were scalable and were used in a correlation matrix and factor analysis. Eight identifiable factors, or clusters of variables, were identified. For example, factor two described the neurotic offender, who is tense, nervous, confused, emotional, and intelligent. Factor four described the rootless, likable offender, a person who grew up without parents but was liked by the interviewers. Factor seven, the highly educated offender, loaded heavily on education and the completion of schooling. The other factors included the poor soul or loser, the old divorced offender, the middle class offender, the slow functioning single offender, and the black offender. Data such as these can be used to make corrective interventions more successful and relevant. A table, a reference note, and a reference are provided.