Personal and Situational Contingencies in the Processing of Convicted Felons

• NCJ Number: 86675
• Journal: Sociological Inquiry Volume: 50 Issue: 1 Dated: (1980) Pages: 65-74
• Author(s): M A Myers
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 10 pages
• Grant Number(s): 76-NI-99-0071
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Traditionally, deviance research and theory have focused almost exclusively on the personal attributes of the alleged deviant. This paper questions the appropriateness of such a focus when examining the organizational processing of criminal defendants.

Abstract

It directs attention to situational contingencies that provide the context within which personal attributes and behaviors become meaningful and salient during labeling and sanctioning. Discussion focuses on a strategic but often neglected contingency, conviction method. Empirical analysis reveals that the way in which the defendant was convicted has strong implications for the criteria officials use later to label and sanction the defendant. The implications of these findings for deviance research are then discussed. Tables, footnotes, and about 45 references are provided. (Author abstract modified)