NCJ Number
72985
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1979) Pages: 275-292
Date Published
1979
Length
18 pages
Annotation
An investigation of moving to a new correctional institution upon inmate and staff attributions of causality is presented; study methodology and results are emphasized.
Abstract
Inmates and staff who were moved from an old correctional facility to a more modern one were tested on three different occasions to measure changes in the degree to which positive and negative feelings were attributed to the environment, to others, and to oneself. The first sampling was conducted at the old facility about 1 month before the move, the second sampling was done at the new facility approximately 1 month after the move, and the third sample was selected 6 months after the second. Testing instruments consistent with attributional literature were administered to groups of approximately 40 inmates and 20 correctional officers. Results indicated that with the move to the new institution attributions to the environment became more positive, while attributions to others became more negative. Such an effect was exhibited by both inmates and staff. Attributions to self also became more negative among those inmates who had moved from the old facility to the new one. Study results suggest that along with improving perceptions of the institution, architectural reforms have the added effect of disrupting relations among both inmates and staff, as indicated by the increase in negative attributions made to others. The consequences may lead to increasing dissension and decreasing cohesion among one's own group. However, such an effect among the inmates may be welcomed, especially by those who perceive inmate solidarity as detrimental to rehabilitation. Three tables and seven references are provided.