NCJ Number
79254
Journal
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology Volume: 14 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1981) Pages: 103-109
Date Published
1981
Length
7 pages
Annotation
An analysis of the structural and interactional characteristics of the social networks of first offenders and recidivists in an Australian prison revealed that friendship linkages for many inmates diminished as their prison experience increased.
Abstract
During 1978-79, this study randomly selected 25 male recidivists who had served at least 3 previous terms and 34 first offenders from the Risdon Prison population in Tasmania. Respondents were asked to nominate people considered as important and close and then rank a maximum of six persons in a hierarchy. These networks were analyzed according to several characteristics, including size, density, degree of connection, composition, basis of relationships, and durability. First offenders seldom occupied a central position in their networks, but were highly connected to kin and friends by multiply stranded linkages allowing several bases for friendship. With the passage of time and more terms of imprisonment, half the recidivists' networks changed and ties were predominantly with kin or friends known for more than 5 years who had little or no connection with each other. Such a closely knit network allows for few new outside influences or information and may place additional strains on an individual trying to cope with intrafamily role transitions. Recidivists indicated few involvements with other prisoners, while first offenders nominated an average of three other prisoners as friends. A total of 83 percent of visitors received by recidivists and 64 percent of the first offenders' visitors were relatives. Tables and seven references are provided.