NCJ Number
6964
Date Published
1961
Length
23 pages
Annotation
REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF SEVERAL STUDIES WHICH INVESTIGATED THE IMPACT OF IMPRISONMENT, THE INMATES SOCIAL STRUCTURE, AND FACTORS IN PAROLE VIOLATION.
Abstract
PRISONER REACTION TO INCARCERATION IS DISCUSSED IN TERMS OF ASSIMILATION INTO THE PRISON CULTURE AND LACK OF ATTACHMENT TO ANY PARTICULAR GROUP. THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE IMPACT THAT THE PRISON HAS ON THE INMATE, HIS LENGTH OF STAY, AND HIS CHANCES OF AVOIDING PAROLE VIOLATION ARE ANALYZED. AN INMATE TYPOLOGY IS DESCRIBED AND THE PROBABILITY OF RECIDIVISM FOR THE VARIOUS TYPES OF INDIVIDUALS IS PREDICTED. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT PRISONS DO NOT ALWAYS AFFECT PRISONERS ADVERSELY AND THAT IN SOME CASES CONTINUED PRISON EXPERIENCE WILL ACTUALLY INCREASE THE CHANCES OF SUCCESSFUL ADJUSTMENT UPON RELEASE.