NCJ Number
145658
Journal
Justice Quarterly Volume: 10 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1993) Pages: 489- 506
Date Published
1993
Length
18 pages
Annotation
Based on a sample of 273 male inmates, this study used both official records and interview self-reports to examine the effect of the victim-offender relationship on disciplinary infractions of men imprisoned by Arizona's Department of Corrections for violent crimes.
Abstract
The study employed a cross-sectional retrospective design, and all interviews and official record checks were conducted within a year. The analysis included 16 independent variables, as well as variables related to the victim-offender relationship and prison yard security. Results suggested that inmates with more extensive rule- breaking behaviors were likely to be younger, less intelligent individuals who victimized strangers, had more numerous juvenile convictions, and served at least one prior prison term. Further, behavioral problems in prison showed no relation to offender race, education, marital status, employment, substance abuse, number of adult convictions, number of prior arrests, offense type, sentence length, urbanicity, prison yard security, or prison visits. Inmate age was the strongest predictor of prison disciplinary problems, although two criminal history variables (number of juvenile convictions and serving a prior prison term) exhibited a significant association with the number of disciplinary infractions. The victim-offender relationship was significantly and negatively related to a number of disciplinary infractions. Much lower infraction rates were observed among inmates involved in treatment and work