NCJ Number
15325
Date Published
1974
Length
325 pages
Annotation
THIS STUDY WAS DESIGNED TO EXPLAIN WHY ADOLSECENT FEMALE INMATES FORM COURTSHIP, MARRIAGE, AND KINSHIP TIES WITH OTHER INMATES TO COPE WITH THE RIGORS OF IMPRISONMENT.
Abstract
IT DESCRIBES HOW THESE TIES ARE FORMED AND TO WHAT EXTENT THE SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL PATTERNS OF THESE RELATIONSHIPS MIRROR THEIR HETEROSEXUAL AND FAMILIAL COUNTERPARTS IN THE COMMUNITY. COMPARATIVE IN ITS APPROACH, THE BOOK PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY OF FEMALE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS DIFFERING IN SIZE, ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE, AND MODES OF OPERATION, SHOWING HOW DEPRIVATIONAL ASPECTS OF INCARCERATION INFLUENCE THE SOCIAL BEHAVIOR OF THE INMATES. THE THREE INSTITUTIONS ANALYZED (REFERRED TO AS THE CENTRAL, EASTERN, AND WESTERN SCHOOLS FOR GIRLS) INCLUDE ONE CUSTODY ORIENTED, ONE TREATMENT ORIENTED, AND ONE INSTITUTION WITH AN INTERMEDIATE GOAL EMPHASIS. BASED ON DIRECT OBSERVATION, QUESTIONNAIRES, INTERVIEWS, AND OFFICIAL RECORDS, THE EMPIRICAL FINDINGS ARE THEN COMPARED WITH RELEVANT LITERATURE ON MALE AND FEMALE PRISONS TO PROVIDE A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF PRISON COMMUNITIES THAT WILL HOPEFULLY LEAD TO SIGNIFICANT AND URGENT REFORMS. THE APPENDIX CONTAINS NOTES ON THE STUDY METHODOLOGY, SUPPLEMENTARY TABLES OF STUDY DATA, A MEMORANDUM ON THE MONETARY COST OF ATTEMPTS TO CONTROL THE PROBLEMS OF ESCAPES AT CENTRAL, AND SELECTED LISTINGS OF COTTAGE RULES. AN INDEX IS ALSO INCLUDED. THIS BOOK IS INTENDED SPECIFICALLY FOR SOCIOLOGISTS INTERESTED IN CRIMINOLOGY, DELINQUENCY, AND SOCIAL ORGANIZATION, AS WELL AS FOR PROFESSIONAL CORRECTIONAL PERSONNEL. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)