NCJ Number
114170
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 16 Issue: 3 Dated: (1988) Pages: 207-215
Date Published
1988
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Due to their class backgrounds and lack of experience with the criminal justice system, white-collar offenders are thought to be specially sensitive to imprisonment.
Abstract
Despite the widespread acceptance of this view, incarcerated white-collar criminals have never been closely studied by criminologists, penologists, or sociologists. In this article, a wide body of theory and research is used to argue against the special sensitivity view. Specifically, the article contends that research on adjustment to prison life as well as research on the relationships between class and personality and vulnerability to stress suggests that advantaged offenders possess personalities and social resources sufficient to enable them to cope with some forms of incarceration. This article concludes by outlining a research agenda to investigate the special sensitivity thesis. 33 references. (Author abstract)