Quasi-Experimental Test of Prisoner Reactions to Determinate and Indeterminate Sentencing (From Coping With Imprisonment, P 127-146, 1982, Nicolette Parisi, ed. - See NCJ-84908)

• NCJ Number: 84915
• Author(s): L Goodstein
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 20 pages
• Sale Source: Sage Publications, Inc
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Questionnaires completed by inmates of three South Carolina prisons indicated that prisoners with determinate sentences, regardless of the length, appeared to have greater peace of mind than their counterparts serving indeterminate sentences whose release date was determined by the traditional parole board review process.

Abstract

This paper first reviews the benefits and disadvantages of determinate sentencing reform, noting that several studies support the contention that prisoners themselves favor the provision of a fixed date out early in their sentences. This research assessed the impact of predictability of release on inmates' attitudes and behavior, using the South Carolina system because it allows judges the discretion of sentencing prisoners to terms that involve either fixed release dates with the remainder served under supervision or the parole review board process. A preliminary analysis of an August 1979 inmate census showed that indeterminate and determinate prisoners did not differ from each other on most background characteristics, suggesting that judges did not single out any particular group for determinate sentences. Questionnaires then were administered to samples of inmates at Central, Kirkland, and Wateree Correctional Institutions, with usable data obtained from 60 inmates on determinate sentences and 289 on indeterminate sentences. Principal items measured by the survey instrument were situational stress, adjustment to prison, prisonization, interactions with significant others outside of prison, and attitudes toward rehabilitation programs. No major differences were found between the two groups on race, number of arrests, marital status, employment level, education, age, most offense categories, prison behavior, and attitudes. However, determinate sentenced inmates had spent less time in prison and expected to be released earlier than the indeterminate sentenced inmates. Determinate sentenced inmates also reported experiencing significantly less stress than the indeterminate group. Implications of these findings for correctional reform are discussed. The paper provides tables, 7 footnotes, and 39 references. For related material, see NCJ 84908.