NCJ Number
11170
Date Published
1969
Length
40 pages
Annotation
SUMMARY OF INTERVIEWS WITH NINE INMATES REGARDING THEIR PERCEPTIONS OF INSTITUTIONAL CHANGES, INMATE SOCIAL STRUCTURE, TREATMENT PROGRAMS, AND STAFF OVER 7 MONTHS.
Abstract
THE YOUTHS INTERVIEWED MAINTAINED AN ESSENTIALLY NEGATIVE EVALUATION OF THE INSTITUTION, DESPITE INVOLVEMENT IN PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO BRING PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT. THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT PUNISHMENT FOR THEIR UNLAWFUL BEHAVIOR WAS APPROPRIATE BUT THEY QUESTIONED WHETHER THE LENGTH OF INCARCERATION WAS COMMENSURATE WITH THE OFFENSE COMMITTED. INMATE-STAFF RELATIONSHIPS SHOWED A TENDENCY TO BECOME LESS TENSE DURING THE 7 MONTHS PROBABLY DUE TO THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES, AS WELL AS POPULATION TURNOVER. IT WAS NOT CLEAR TO WHAT EXTENT THE MAINTENANCE OF FAMILY TIES WAS DETRIMENTAL OR HELPFUL TO THE YOUTHS ULTIMATE TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION. FIVE SPECIFIC CASE SUMMARIES OF INMATES INTERVIEWED ARE PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)