NCJ Number
228156
Journal
Justice Quarterly Volume: 26 Issue: 3 Dated: September 2009 Pages: 445-475
Date Published
September 2009
Length
31 pages
Annotation
This study tested the relationship between prison climate and victimization at the corrections facility and individual level.
Abstract
Results indicate that overall prisons with poorer climates were also likely to have poorer outcomes, such as higher rates of inmate-on-inmate and staff-on-inmate victimization. Also, in the individual-level analyses, prisons with younger aged populations, compared to those with older aged populations were more likely to have higher rates of physical victimization perpetrated by other inmates and staff. The effect of inmate characteristics on victimization depended on the type of perpetrator. Younger inmates, Whites, those who thought gang activity was high, and those with convictions involving sexual victimization were more likely to report physical victimization by other inmates. Characteristics increasing the likelihood of being physically assaulted by staff included being non-White, convicted of a violent crime, and higher education. In addition, generally, inmates with non-serious mental illness, but not those with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, and prior victimization occurring before age 18 were highly vulnerable to both physical assault and property theft victimization. Research evidence on the prevalence of physical victimization inside prison settings has grown. However, considerably less explored were the factors predicting physical victimization. Using a sample of approximately 7,000 male inmates, this study estimated a multilevel predictive model of victimization that includes characteristics of the individual and environment. The study examined the extent to which physical victimization by perpetrator-type varied among facilities and inmate characteristics. Figures, tables, appendix, and references