NCJ Number
7249
Date Published
1968
Length
349 pages
Annotation
DESCRIPTIVE MATERIAL ON MISDEMEANANTS, ASSESSING MAJOR SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES OF CRIME, AND TESTING A THEORY OF RECIDIVISM.
Abstract
INTERVIEWS WERE CONDUCTED WITH A RANDOM SAMPLE OF TWO HUNDRED CONVICTED MALE MISDEMEANANTS SERVING SENTENCES IN A MAXIMUM SECURITY JAIL. MENTAL HEALTH, INTELLIGENCE, AND ALCOHOLIC SELF CONCEPTS WERE EXAMINED. HYPOTHESES DERIVED FROM THE SECONDARY DEVIATION THEORY WERE TESTED, BASED ON PRISONER INTERVIEWS. SPECIFIC APPLICATION OF THE THEORY TO THIS POPULATION OF DEVIANTS ELICITS A PREDICTION THAT BEHAVIOR WILL DETERIORATE AS THE PUNISHMENTS INCREASE. THE RESULTS OF INCREASING PENALTIES AND DETERIORATION OF SOCIAL BEHAVIOR GAVE SUPPORT TO THE SECOND DEVIATION THEORY. POTENTIAL ALCOHOLICS NEED TO RECEIVE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, EDUCATION, APPRECIATION AND RESPECT, AND SUCCESS IN OCCUPATIONAL ROLES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)