NCJ Number
233890
Journal
Crime & Delinquency Volume: 53 Issue: 3 Dated: July 2007 Pages: 471-501
Date Published
July 2007
Length
31 pages
Annotation
This study examined inmate addiction and factor association of male inmates in the New Jersey Department of Corrections.
Abstract
Most State inmates incarcerated under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey Department of Corrections are driven to crimes by drug abuse. Understanding the factors contributing to addiction is the first step in developing strategies for successful inmate reintegration. This study presents an analysis of inmate addiction and factor association using multivariate analysis procedures on 2003 New Jersey male inmate addiction data to identify significant demographic and criminal justice factors and to quantify the relative proportion of risk of addiction likelihood via the odds ratio measure. Significant factors identified include age, race, county of offense, controlled dangerous substances possession, burglary, robbery, and other nonviolent offenses. Odds ratios are presented for significant single factors and among subclass groups of multilevel variables. A statistically interesting and socially important multifactor analysis is performed for insight into particular subgrouping factors. Black offenders in their 20s are further studied as an extension of the analysis. (Published Abstract) Tables, figure, and references