The Society of Captives

Causes and correlates of prison inmate misconduct: A systematic review of the evidence

Explanations of prison violence and other forms of misconduct have been dominated by three competing models: (a) the deprivation model, (b) the importation model, and (c) the coping model. We propose that these three seemingly competing models can be integrated within Agnew’s general strain theory (GST). GST enriches the deprivation model by revealing three distinctive categories of strain. GST encompasses the importation model in hypothesizing that criminal cultural values and affiliations will structure the response to the strains of imprisonment. And GST incorporates the coping model in its emphasis on how social support, social capital, and human capital can blunt the effects of potentially criminogenic strains. Finally, GST is sufficiently broad to include factors (e.g., emotions, self-control) in the explanation of prison maladjustment not covered by the three main models of prison inmate behavior. In short, GST offers a general integrated framework for reconceptualizing our understanding of prison violence and misconduct.

A General Strain Theory of Prison Violence and Misconduct: An Integrated Model of Inmate Behavior

The ties that bind or the ties that break: Examining the relationship between visitation and prisoner misconduct

Social Isolation and Inmate Behavior: A Conceptual Framework for Theorizing Prison Visitation and Guiding and Assessing Research

Most literature on inmate assaultive behavior considers only one level of analysis, thereby ignoring the importance of prison context on inmate behavior. This study improved on past research by combining inmate and prison-level data into a multilevel model explaining inmate-on-inmate, nondeadly assaults. Data from 1,054 male inmates in 30 prisons revealed that age and aggression were the most robust predictors of inmate-on-inmate assaults. In terms of multilevel effects, aggressive inmates were found to commit more assaults in prisons that were more crowded and had a greater percentage of younger inmates (e.g., younger than age 25). Policy implications and suggestions for a multilevel theory of prison violence are discussed.

Inmate-On-Inmate Assault: A Multilevel Examination of Prison Violence

Most of the extant literature on prison violence has explored inmate-on-inmate assaultive behaviors rather than inmate-on-staff assaults. In addition, the bulk of this past literature considered only one level of an analysis, the inmate or the prison, while ignoring the importance of prison context on inmate behavior. This study enhances past research by combining both inmate- and prison-level data into a multilevel model predicting the likelihood of inmate-on-staff assaults. Self-report data from more than 1,000 inmates and 30 prisons revealed that, at the inmate level, age and aggression were the most robust predictors of inmate-on-staff assaults. In terms of contextual effects, inmates housed in prisons with a greater proportion of non-White inmates and a larger staff-to-inmate ratio were more likely to assault prison staff members. Policy implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Inmate Assaults on Prison Staff A Multilevel Examination of an Overlooked Form of Prison Violence

The majority of extant literature on correctional education focuses on the relationship between program participation and recidivism while ignoring the possible relationship between educational program participation and inmate misconduct. The present study sought to fill in this gap in the literature by investigating the effect of several types of educational programs (i.e. GED, high school, vocational, and college) upon inmate misconduct while simultaneously controlling for several other inmate characteristics. Self-report data from over 1,000 inmates were gathered. Results indicate that inmates who participated in college programs than inmates who participated in other types of educational programs received fewer “tickets” for rule violations while incarcerated. Policy implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Educational Participation and Inmate Misconduct

The majority of the extant literature on inmate victimization considers only one level of analysis, thus ignoring the interaction effects between inmate- and prison-level variables. To extend this literature, multilevel modeling techniques were used to analyze self-report data from more than 1,000 inmates and 30 prisons in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Ohio. Results revealed that demographic variables were strong predictors of physical victimization (i.e., race and assaultive behavior). Also, security level had a contextual direct effect on physical victimization. Property victimization was best explained with an integrated model including inmate (i.e., race, assaultive behavior, prior education, prior employment, and time served), contextual (i.e., security level and proportion non-White), and micro—macro interaction variables (i.e., Race × Security Level). Policy implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Physical and Property Victimization Behind Bars: A Multilevel Examination

There is very little current information on the nature and extent of contacts between inmate parents and their children. To fill in this gap, it was the purpose of this study to determine how parental contacts with children, in the form of visits, mail, and telephone calls, affected inmate behavior behind bars. A subsample of more than 6,000 inmate parents from a larger sample of state prison inmates in the United States was analyzed. Results showed that inmates who got visits, both males and females, and mail (female inmates only) were more likely to be written up and/or found guilty of rule violations. Policy implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Karen F. Lahm

Papers

Inmate-On-Inmate Assault: A Multilevel Examination of Prison Violence

Inmate Assaults on Prison Staff A Multilevel Examination of an Overlooked Form of Prison Violence

Educational Participation and Inmate Misconduct

Physical and Property Victimization Behind Bars: A Multilevel Examination

Effects of Parent–Child Relationships on Inmate Behavior A Comparison of Male and Female Inmates