NCJ Number
178538
Journal
Alaska Justice Forum Volume: 15 Issue: 3 Dated: Fall 1998 Pages: 1-6-8
Date Published
1998
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The magnitude and rate of childhood abuse were very high among long-term inmates in Alaska.
Abstract
Data were obtained from a survey of and file jackets on 240 interview participants and 149 non-participants, and interviews were conducted with a sample of 100 inmates sentenced to prison for 5 years or more. Information on childhood was elicited in three conceptual dimensions: physical abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse. Serious physical abuse was reported less frequently than minor forms of physical abuse. Severe forms of neglect were reported less frequently than the absence of nurturing. Of 70 percent who indicated they had one or more sexual experiences, slightly less than 25 percent considered the sexual experiences to be abuse. Female inmates were more likely to report abuse than male inmates, and more black inmates reported abuse than white or Alaskan Native inmates. Inmates who reported early ages for first arrest were likely to report a history of abuse. In addition, inmates who reported no juvenile arrests were less likely to report abuse than those with arrest records, inmates who grew up in villages were less likely to report abuse but more likely to report neglect, and inmates who grew up in a two-parent family were less likely to report abuse. Correlates and consequences of abuse and the concept of the cycle of violence are discussed. 3 figures