NCJ Number
108876
Date Published
1987
Length
105 pages
Annotation
This 2-year case study of inmate-violence management at the Arizona State Prison Complex-Florence before and after a change of prison administration entailed interviews with staff, surveys of both staff and inmates, and analyses of agency records regarding violent incidents.
Abstract
The study encompassed 1 year before and 1 year after the change in prison administration. Staff interviews and agency records indicate that the new administration effected improvements in the management of inmate violence and safety at the prison. Neither staff nor inmates responding to the survey, however, noted much change following the administrative change. This divergence in findings may be due to the fact that upper level staff, compared to line staff and inmates, have access to statistical data that provide a more comprehensive view of institutional operations and events. The broad-based approach to the management of inmate violence was apparently effective. The new administration not only introduced measures to control violence but also alleviated conditions conducive to violence. The approach encompassed everything from improved physical facilities and increased inmate supervision to upgraded programs and services. A small group of violence-prone inmates remained difficult to manage even following the administrative change. Such inmates can best be controlled by housing them in a special unit. Appended data tables and survey instruments.