NCJ Number
55950
Journal
LAE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE ASSOCIATION Volume: 41 Issue: 2 Dated: (SUMMER 1978) Pages: 21-25
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE IMPACT OF ARREST ON THE ARRESTEE IS STUDIED IN TERMS OF PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE ARREST, VARIABLES SURROUNDING THE AARREST, AND THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE ARRESTEE.
Abstract
THE ARREST IS AN EMOTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCE AND RESPRESENTS A MORAL BLIGHT ON THE INDIVIDUAL. THE SURVEY OF 90 STUDENT ARRESTEES DURING 1971-1972 CONDUCTED EXPLORATORY RESEARCH ON THE ATTITUDES OF THE ARRESTEE TOWARD THE ARREST. A QUESTIONNAIRE WAS USED WITH A 52 PERCENT RESPONSE, OR 47 RESPONDENTS. OF THESE, 44 ADMITTED HAVING BEEN ARRESTED, 15 FOR SHOPLIFTING AND 12 FOR DRUG OFFENSES. A TOTAL OF 52 PERCENT SAID THEIR ARRESTS HAD CAUSED THEM PROBLEMS SUCH AS EMBARASSMENT, MONEY, OR EMOTIONAL STRESS. OF THE 44 WHO WAS ADMITTED HAVING BEEN ARRESTED, 41 SAID THEY HAS BEEN ARRESTED BEFORE. OVERALL DATA SUGGEST THAT NOT ONLY IS THERE A NEED TO CONSIDER PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ARREST IN TERMS OF SITUATIONAL VARIABLES AND PARTICULAR EXPERIENCE WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, BUT THAT THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE ARRESTEE HIMSELF MUST BE MORE DIRECTLY EXAMINED. IT IS APPARENT THAT AN ARREST MAY INVOLVE A VARIETY OF FACTORS, ANY OF WHICH MIGHT INFLUENCE THE ARRESTEE'S PERCEPTION OF THE ARREST AND THE PROBLEMS HE SEES AS EMANATING FROM THE ARREST. QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED INCLUDE WHAT WAS THE NATURE OF THE ARRERST? DID IT TAKE PLACE UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES THAT REQUIRED A WARRANT? DID THE SUBJECT PERCEIVE THE ARRESTING OFFICER AS ABUSIVE? ALL OF THESE FACTORS AND OTHERS COULD PAY A PART IN ONE'S PERCEPTION OF THE ARREST AND ITS ON SEQUENCES. THE POSSIBILITY OF STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR MAKES IT ALL THE MORE IMPORTANT THAT THE ARRESTEE BE DIRECTLY AND INTENSIVELY STUDIED. TABLES, FOOTNOTES AND REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (STB)