Institutional Adjustment Among Female Delinquents (From Improving Management in Criminal Justice, P 91-103, 1980, Alvin W Cohn and Benjamin Ward, ed. - See NCJ-76036)

• NCJ Number: 76042
• Author(s): C M Sieverdes; C Bartollas
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 0 pages
• Sale Source: Sage Publications, Inc
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study of females in juvenile correctional institutions shows that sex differences exist in coping behavior and attitudes among confined juveniles. It also points to the fact that 70 percent of the girls should not have been in those institutions.

Abstract

The study was conducted in six State coeducational training schools in the Southeast. The sample consisted of 160 female residents 7 to 17 years old, 61 percent of whom were black, and 70 percent -- status offenders. A series of Likert scale questions were compiled by the residents to determine their behavioral patterns and inclinations, their attitudes toward peers and staff members, the institutional setting, and their own confinement. Six summated scales were constructed from 31 statements. The findings showed that females adhered more strongly to inmate groups and peer relationships than did males. These small groups provided protection from unwanted staff and peer interference. Furthermore, institutionalized females did not spend much time harassing or manipulating the staff. Rather, they attempted to avoid trouble by obeying the rules of the institution, and doing 'straight time.' The study also showed that 57 percent of the girls were concerned about the possibility of being victimized within the institution. However, there were no indications that they were fearful of sexual victimization. Although blacks were more manipulative toward staff and peers and dominated the leadership positions, whites did not feel harassed by blacks. Furthermore, white girls avoided the isolation that was often found among institutionalized whites. The coeducational nature of these institutions influenced female adjustment. Pseudo-families still existed but there was no evidence of widespread homosexual alliances. However, the benign nature of coeducational institutions did not suggest that residents benefited from their stay in any way. Status offenders should have been placed somewhere other than in facilities which no more than warehouse children. Statistical data, footnotes, and 9 references are included.