NCJ Number
97390
Journal
Canadian Journal of Criminology Volume: 26 Issue: 4 Dated: (October 1984) Pages: 423-437
Date Published
1984
Length
15 pages
Annotation
Research findings on the impact of long-term incarceration on inmates are discussed in this literature review.
Abstract
Very little is actually known about the subject. The vast majority of criminological literature bemoans the devastating impact of prison on its inhabitants. However, according to McKay and others, most clinicians agree that an identifiable clinical syndrome exists, but they disagree on the symptom pattern, its interpretation, and the frequency of occurrence. The evidence for a ubiquitous, profound, and incapacitating prison influence is scarce. A sizable literature indicates a positive effect of incarceration for certain offenders. Although the suicide rate is higher for inmates than for the general population, incarcerated offenders are at higher risk because of psychiatric disorders. Inmates appear younger and report feeling younger than their chronological age. The authors' own study of 269 inmates indicates that those who had served more time displayed less deviance on their MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) profiles. Prison life is multidimensional and thus affects its clientele in different ways at different times. Some changes correlated with recidivism in a manner contrary to traditional expectation; for example, increased self-esteem during incarceration correlated with increased recidivism, and an increased sense of inadequacy during imprisonment was related to postrelease success. Thus, lengthy sentences will have many complicated and diverse effects. Two tables and 57 references are supplied.