PERCEPTIONS OF PAROLE BY PRE-PAROLE PRISONERS

• NCJ Number: 49416
• Author(s): L S SHASKOLSKY
• Date Published: 1970
• Length: 136 pages
• Sale Source: UMI Dissertation Services
• Publication Type: Thesis/Dissertation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY - DOCTORAL DISSERTATION

Annotation

A QUESTIONNAIRE ADMINISTERED TO 339 MEN IN PREPAROLE PROGRAMS IN FOUR OHIO STATE PENAL INSTITUTIONS FOUND THAT THE INMATES HAD NO STRONG FEELINGS EITHER FOR OR AGAINST PAROLE.

Abstract

THE INITIAL HYPOTHESIS OF THIS STUDY WAS THAT ATTITUDES TOWARD PAROLE MIGHT AFFECT PAROLE PERFORMANCE. THE PURPOSE WAS TO IDENTIFY THOSE ASPECTS OF PAROLE WHICH WERE PERCEIVED NEGATIVELY. DURING THE SUMMER OF 1969 A QUESTIONNAIRE WAS DEVELOPED AND ADMINISTERED TO 339 MEN IN THE FINAL STAGES OF THEIR INCARCERATION. THE SAMPLE WAS DRAWN FROM PRISONERS IN PREPAROLE PROGRAMS AT THE OHIO PENITENTIARY AT COLUMBUS, AND CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS AT CHILLICOTHE, MARION, AND LOND, OHIO. THE RESPONSES SHOWED NEITHER OVERWHELMING ACCEPTANCE OF THE PAROLE SYSTEM NOR ANY SPECIFIC AREAS OF ANTAGONISM. THE STRUCTURE OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE ITSELF MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE RESULTS. THE QUESTIONS REQUIRED STRAIGHTFORWARD ANSWERS AND WOULD TEND NOT TO REVEAL MORE SUBTLE ATTITUDES. THE QUESTIONNAIRE IS PRESENTED AND ITS DEVELOPMENT IS DISCUSSED. THE RESPONSES AND THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN TRYING TO DETECT MEANINGFUL ATTITUDES WITH THE INSTRUMENT ARE DETAILED. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT A MORE SENSITIVE INSTRUMENT BE DEVELOPED. THE HISTORY OF PAROLE IS REVIEWED. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED. (GLR)