NCJ Number
85222
Date Published
1981
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study compares characteristics of institutionalized male delinquents in Mississippi for possible change over a 5-year period.
Abstract
The study examines changes in delinquents' demographic characteristics, changes in the influence of socioeconomic status on the act of delinquency, and the relationship between the family and delinquency. Study data were obtained from reports provided by the Oakley Training School of Raymond, Miss. The total youth population of 347 served as subjects for 1972, while 371 delinquents served as the population for 1977. Findings revealed that a high proportion of urban youths committed a large number of crimes when compared to rural youths in 1972 and in 1977. Parental income assumed a greater importance in influencing blacks' deviant behavior over the 5-year period. Youths living with their natural parents had committed more serious crimes in higher proportion than youths living in reconstituted and other families in 1972. For whites, the influence of living arrangement disappeared over the study period. Race continued to be a significant variable in explaining the youths' prior commitment record at the institution in both years. Blacks and youths living at poverty levels had a high percentage of disciplinary infractions in 1972. Income was negatively related to the length of stay at the institution in 1972. A table and 10 references are provided.