NCJ Number
63063
Journal
Journal of Adolescence Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: (MARCH 1978) Pages: 81-87
Date Published
1978
Length
7 pages
Annotation
A STUDY OF PERSISTENT OFFENDERS AGAINST DISCIPLINE IN A JUVENILE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION (BORSTAL) IN GREAT BRITAIN SHOWS A SIGNIFICANT CORRELATION BETWEEN HABITUAL INMATE DISCIPLINE VIOLATIONS AND RECIDIVISM.
Abstract
THE INMATES OF A BORSTAL IN GREAT BRITAIN WERE SURVEYED TO ASCERTAIN THE CORRELATION BETWEEN REPEATED VIOLATION OF INSTITUTIONAL DISCIPLINE AND CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES AFTER RELEASE. THE PICTURE OF THE REPEAT VIOLATOR OF INSTITUTIONAL DISCIPLINE IN A BORSTAL WAS FOUND TO DEPART FROM THE USUAL INSTITUTIONAL TROUBLEMAKER STEREOTYPES: THE OFFENDERS WERE YOUNGER THAN WELL-BEHAVED INMATES, HAD LOWER VERBAL ABILITY, AND POSSESSED A HISTORY OF INSTITUTIONALIZATION IN CHILDREN'S HOMES (OFTEN THE CAUSE OF THEIR TRANSFER TO A BORSTAL). SINCE THE MAJORITY OF JUVENILE INMATES IN BORSTALS SUFFER FROM SERIOUS PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DISORDERS, AS WELL AS SHOWING SEVERE PSYCHOPATHIC TRAITS, THE DISCIPLINE VIOLATORS DID NOT DIFFER FROM THEIR FELLOW INMATES EXCEPT IN THE THREE AREAS INDICATED. THE CORRELATION BETWEEN INSTITUTIONAL TROUBLEMAKING AND POSTRELEASE RECIDIVISM POINTS TO THE UNPLEASANT ATMOSPHERE IN THE INSTITUTION WHICH, IN TURN, PROMOTES FURTHER DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR. (LGR)