NCJ Number
85163
Date Published
1981
Length
41 pages
Annotation
This study examines the extent of prison construction in the 50 States and the reasons for that construction, focusing on the relationship between prison population growth and prison expansion and other factors which may account for a State's decision to provide additional prison space.
Abstract
The first section of the study examines the rates at which States are expanding their prisoner population, the rates at which States are constructing new prison capacity, the States which are expanding their prison populations faster or slower than the average, and the States which are expanding their prison capacities at unusually fast or slow rates. The latter sections of the paper examine several explanatory models for prison construction. The simplest explanation is a stimulus-response model, where the increased prison population represents the stimulus and more prison construction is the response (population model). Another stimulus-response model is the capacity model, where prison construction is the stimulus and increased prison population is the response. A third model, called the process model, is proposed. This model asserts that, given increases in prisoner populations, the extent of prison construction is determined by three broad classes of factors: accelerators, buffers, and inhibitors. Accelerators include riots or court orders which aggravate the effects of population growth and increase the perceived need to build. Buffers, such as excess prison capacity, permit States to increase prisoner populations without adding comparable levels of capacity and without major disruption to the prison system. Inhibitors, such as site opposition or lack of funds, impede prison construction even when there is broad agreement as to the need for prisons. Recommendations are offered based on the findings of the process model, and suggestions for future research are provided. Thirty references are listed.