PRISONIZATION OR RESOCIALIZATION - A STUDY OF EXTERNAL FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE IMPACT OF IMPRISONMENT

• NCJ Number: 15471
• Journal: Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency Dated: (JANUARY 1973) Pages: 13-21
• Author(s): C W THOMAS
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 9 pages
• Corporate Author: Carter Ctr
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINT

Annotation

THIS STUDY IS A TEST OF THE VIABILITY OF A MODEL THAT EXPLAINS THE IMPACT OF CONFINEMENT - THE IMPORTATION MODEL.

Abstract

THE IMPORTATION MODEL, ACCEPTS THE IMPORTANCE OF INTRAIMPORTANCE OF VARIABLES THAT ORIGINATE OUTSIDE THE CONTEXT OF THE PRISON AND, IN MANY CASES, CANNOT BE DIRECTLY MANIPULATED BY CORRECTIONAL OFFICIALS. THIS REPORT FOCUSES ON DATA OBTAINED FROM 276 ADULT MALE FELONS WHO WERE INMATES IN A MAXIMUM-SECURITY PENITENTIARY IN 1971. THE SPECIFIC VARIABLES REPORTED IN THIS PAPER INCLUDE MEASURES OF SOCIAL CLASS OF ORIGIN, SOCIAL CLASS OF ATTAINMENT, PREPRISON INVOLVEMENT IN CRIMINALITY, EXTENT OF CONTACT WITH THE LARGER SOCIETY DURING CONFINEMENT, AND THE INMATES' PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR POST-PRISON LIFE-CHANCES. THESE INDEPENDENT VARIABLES WERE CORRELATED WITH A MEASURE OF PRISONIZATION. THE FINDINGS PROVIDE EVIDENCE IN SUPPORT OF THE MORE INCLUSIVE CONCEPTUALIZATION PROVIDED BY THE IMPORTATION MODEL. THE OBVIOUS IMPLICATION IS THAT OVEREMPHASIS ON INTRA-INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS WILL ONLY PROVE TO BE MISLEADING. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)