NCJ Number
87726
Date Published
1981
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study found that the majority of female inmates endorse opposition to staff expectations, but an equally large percentage do not support an entire inmate code of ethics.
Abstract
The sample population was drawn from Minnesota's correctional facility for adult female felons. Questionnaires were administered to all inmates (n=57) and all staff and administration (n=55). Of the 57 inmate questionnaires, 53 were completed, and of the 55 staff questionnaires, 47 were completed. The measure of inmate solidarity consisted of three hypothetical conflict situations depicting encounters between inmates and staff. For each of these situations, the respondent was asked to indicate how she felt about the portrayed inmate's actions. Staff scores were used as the basis for determining whether an inmate's response fell on the conformity or nonconformity end of the spectrum. The measure of an inmate code of ethics was largely a replication of those items originally scaled by Ward and Kassebaum. Although the majority of inmates endorsed opposition to staff expectations, most did not support a complete inmate code of ethics. Neither endorsement of an inmate code nor opposition to staff expectations varied with career phase in the traditional U-shaped pattern. Selected inmate characteristics, such as age and race, were significantly associated with an inmate's attitudes toward staff. Aspects of the institutional environment, such as maximum security units and group interactions, also increased the likelihood of anti-staff attitudes over the period of confinement. Tabular data, 23 references, and 6 notes are provided.