Far From the Maddening Crowd: The Relationship Between Crowding and Safety in Juvenile Institutions (From State of Corrections: Proceedings of ACA Annual Conferences, 1989, P 171-181, 1990, Ann Dargis, ed. - See NCJ-122583)

• NCJ Number: 122610
• Author(s): D W Roush
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 11 pages
• Sale Source: American Correctional Association
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A review of theoretical and empirical research and interviews with youths in juvenile detention facilities in four midwestern States formed the basis of this analysis of the relationship between crowding and safety in juvenile institutions.

Abstract

Prior research has shown significant positive correlations between the density of the correctional population and the total number of assaults in the facility. The three models that have been developed to explain the effects of crowding on institutionalized youths are the interpersonal distance model, the stimulus overload model, and the control model. The interviews also showed that nearly all aspects of perceptions of personal safety showed a significant decrease under conditions of crowding. The data confirmed the conventional wisdom that crowding has a seriously negative effect on the conditions of confinement. Findings indicate the need for the American Correctional Association to investigate the relationship among conditions of confinement, standards compliance, and crowding and should join with its affiliates in juvenile corrections to warn all concerned with corrections that crowding undermines the conditions of confinement. In addition, the standard relating to crowding should be made mandatory. Figure and 24 references.