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SIGNIFICANT FACTORS RELATING TO RECIDIVISTS

NCJ Number
9052
Author(s)
ANON
Date Published
1972
Length
88 pages
Annotation
STATISTICAL DATA ON TRAITS CHARACTERISTIC OF INMATES CURRENTLY INCARCERATED IN THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.
Abstract
A QUESTIONNAIRE WAS ADMINISTERED TO INMATES WHO HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY CONFINED FOR FELONY OFFENSES. THIS DATA WAS USED TO CONSTRUCT POPULATION PROFILES AND TO DETERMINE FACTORS COMMON TO RECIDIVISTS. AMONG THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY ARE FINDINGS INDICATING THAT RECIDIVISTS TEND TO BE URBAN DWELLERS, TO HAVE RECEIVED LESS THAN 12 YEARS OF FORMAL EDUCATION, AND NOT TO HAVE SERVED IN THE MILITARY. THESE PRISONERS USUALLY HAVE NOT PARTICIPATED IN VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS, BUT THE MAJORITY SECURED EMPLOYMENT WITHIN A MONTH AFTER THEIR RELEASE. THE MAJORITY OF RECIDIVISTS BELIEVE THAT PRISON IS NOT A DETERRENCE TO CRIME. FURTHER RESEARCH AIMED AT DETERMINING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ACADEMIC AND VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS IS SUGGESTED. THE QUESTIONNAIRE IS INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)