NCJ Number
83339
Journal
Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 33 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1982) Pages: 10-14
Date Published
1982
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Data from the California State Department of Corrections on newly incarcerated male felons imprisoned during 1979 were used to examine the characteristics of Vietnam veterans and to determine if these characteristics corresponded to common negative stereotypes of these veterans.
Abstract
The study was undertaken in view of the implementation of Public Law 96-466 which, among other things, suspended the subsistence portion of the Veterans Administration educational benefits awarded to eligible incarcerated veterans. The funding cutback was seen by some Vietnam veterans as one of many instances of being stigmatized and discriminated against as a consequence of serving in Vietnam. The prisoners' ages at admission to prison were used to estimate which veterans had seen service in Vietnam, since no direct way existed to identify the Vietnam veterans. The data did not appear to support the view that Vietnam veterans are more prone to violence, drug abuse, and other forms of antisocial behavior than are nonveterans. Veterans tended to have less narcotics use than nonveterans. Minorities formed a lower percentage of incarcerated veterans than nonveterans, despite the expectation that minorities would be overrepresented among incarcerated veterans because minority veterans were overrepresented in combat situations. Further research should focus on the impacts of the cuts in educational benefits on those continuing to enroll in inmate educational programs, those who drop out of such programs, and inmates who do not enroll. Tables and 11 reference notes are provided.