NCJ Number
163107
Journal
Criminology Volume: 34 Issue: 3 Dated: (August 1996) Pages: 323-355
Date Published
1996
Length
33 pages
Annotation
This study tested for racial differences in both violent and alcohol/drug misconduct among male prison inmates.
Abstract
Data from 58 male institutions in the federal correctional system are used to test for racial differences in both violent and alcohol/drug misconduct, controlling for a large number of individual, prison environment, and community background variables. The data provide a unique methodological opportunity to test deprivation versus importation models of prison adjustment as well as more encompassing structural versus cultural theories of violence. The major findings are that, net of controls, black inmates have significantly higher rates of violent behavior but lower rates of alcohol/drug misconduct than white inmates. These patterns parallel those of racial differences in the larger society. These findings support the importation theory of prison adjustment and the subculture of violence thesis regarding high rates of black violence in the larger society. Tables, footnotes, references, appendixes