NCJ Number
170965
Journal
Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology Volume: 10 Issue: 4 Dated: (Winter 1995/96) Pages: 41-52
Date Published
1996
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This investigation sought inmate personal and demographic data that could be used to further define or profile persons with a greater likelihood of being at risk for serving a jail sentence, based on a sample of 400 Florida inmates.
Abstract
The survey instrument was developed cooperatively by mental health, law enforcement, and legal professionals and contained 172 items categorized as descriptive data, legal and criminal history, drug and alcohol history, employment history, health history, parent and family history, school history, and social history. Interviews were conducted in 1994, and data analysis included descriptive statistics and percentage comparisons. Findings suggested inmates were less educated, earned less money, drank more heavily, and had more biological relatives who violated the law than the general population. Patterns of criminal behavior tended to perpetuate through generations. Four recommendations are offered: (1) implement innovative programs for trial periods to decrease criminal activity; (2) increase emphasis on physical health, mental health, and substance abuse treatment for inmates; (3) provide school personnel with the necessary resources to mandate appropriate student behavior; and (4) implement intervention programs on a geographically circumscribed basis within the public school system. 8 references and 10 tables