NCJ Number
67299
Date Published
1977
Length
15 pages
Annotation
RESULTS ARE REPORTED FROM A STUDY OF THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN INMATE CHARACTERISTICS AND EXPECTATIONS AND BEHAVIOR IN THE PURSUIT OF FREEDOM WHILE IMPRISONED.
Abstract
FREEDOM AND THE EFFECTS OF THE LOSS OF IT HAVE RECEIVED INCREASING ATTENTION IN PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH AND THEORY. INDICATIONS FROM PREVIOUS RESEARCH ARE THAT LOSS OF THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE OR TO INFLUENCE CAN RESULT IN COGNITIVE CHANGES, BEHAVIORAL REACTION, AND PHYSIOLOGICAL DETERIORATION. THE DYNAMICS INVOLVED IN THE LOSS OF FREEDOM ARE EXAMINED FOR A SAMPLE OF 59 FEMALE AND 75 MALE RESIDENTS OF A FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION. DATA OBTAINED WERE IN THREE CATEGORIES: (1) PERSONAL VARIABLES SUCH AS AGE, SEX, EMPLOYABILITY, AND EDUCATION; (2) EXPECTATIONS AND PERCEPTIONS ABOUT LIFE IN THE INSTITUTION AND THE FREEDOMS GRANTED OR DESIRED WITHIN THE INSTITUTION; AND (3) BEHAVIORAL FREEDOMS ACTIVELY PURSUED, SUCH AS FURLOUGHS, FRIENDSHIPS, AND DEVIANT BEHAVIOR PRODUCING INCIDENTS. EXPECTATIONS AND PERCEPTIONS ABOUT LIFE IN THE INSTITUTION WERE ASSESSED BY MEANS OF A 12-ITEM QUESTIONNAIRE. INFORMATION ON BEHAVIORAL VARIABLES INCLUDED NUMBER, DATE, KIND OF FURLOUGHS, OUTSIDE TRIPS WITH A MEMBER OF THE STAFF, SUBJECTS' FRIENDSHIPS WITH MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSITE SEX, JOB PERFORMANCE, AND THE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS IN THE INSTITUTION. RESULTS SHOWED THAT EDUCATION, HIGHER INTELLIGENCE, AND NO PRIOR INCARCERATION, IF A RELEASE DATE IS KNOWN, LED TO A MORE ACTIVE USE OF FREEDOMS AND HIGHER EXPECTATIONS REGARDING PRIVILEGES OR FREEDOMS THAT SHOULD BE GRANTED BY THE INSTITUTION. OLDER INMATES WITH A HISTORY OF PRIOR INCARCERATION, IF THE RELEASE DATE WAS KNOWN, HAD GENERALLY LOWER ACTIVITY IN THE AREAS OF FREEDOM MEASURED, ALONG WITH LOWER EXPECTATIONS ABOUT INSTITUTIONAL FREEDOM. THIS SUGGESTS HELPLESSNESS OR AN ATTITUDE OF 'GIVING UP.' TABULAR DATA AND REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)