NCJ Number
5361
Journal
JOURNAL OF CRIMINAL LAW, CRIMINOLOGY AND POLICE SCIENCE Volume: 62 Issue: 2 Dated: (JUNE 1971) Pages: 224-238
Date Published
1971
Length
15 pages
Annotation
CONTROLLED STUDY COMPARING IMPRISONED MEXICAN-AMERICAN AND ANGLO DELINQUENTS IN TERMS OF DEMOGRAPHY, PERSONALITY, AND RESPONSE TO PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT.
Abstract
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES ACCOUNT HEAVILY FOR THE DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN THE TWO GROUPS. AS ACCULTURATION PROGRESSES, THE MEXICAN-AMERICAN'S DELINQUENCY APPROACHES THE ANGLO PATTERN OF AGGRESSIVE RATHER THAN PASSIVE CRIMES SUCH AS NARCOTICS AND STATUTORY SEX OFFENSES. THIS CHANGE WAS ALSO NOTED AFTER PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT. CULTURAL BARRIERS MUST BE TRANSCENDED IF THE CHICANO DELINQUENT IS TO BENEFIT MORE FROM THERAPY. PRISONS PRESENT THE BEST AND POSSIBLY LAST EXPOSURE TO THE ACCULTURATION PROCESS.