State prison expansion: An explanatory model

This article, through development of an explanatory model called the process model, attempts to account for differences among states in levels of prison expansion. The model recognizes the importance of the tie between prisoner population and prison growth but considers additional factors which mediate this relationship. Given increases in prisoner populations, the model posits that the extent of prison construction is determined by three broad classes of factors: accelarators, which increase the probability of construction, and buffers and inhibitors, which decrease the probability. First, the rudiments of the process model are sketched and the accelerator, buffer, and inhibitor variables are described. Next, the process model is developed more fully through an examination of prison expansion in ten example states. Finally, the implications of the model are explored.     

Randomized controlled trial proves effectiveness of methadone maintenance treatment in prison

A study on methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) undertaken by the Correctional Service of Canada in 2001 demonstrated that MMT has a positive impact on release outcome and on institutional behaviour. Now, a new study undertaken in an Australian prison system has demonstrated that MMT also reduces drug use and injection in prisons. The implications of this study are far reaching. They suggest that in all jurisdictions where community-based programs operate, prison-based methadone programs should be introduced or expanded.     

Public attitudes toward prison capacity expansion in Mississippi

This paper presents the results of an exploratory study designed to identify and determine the effects of social and economic factors on Mississippians’ attitudes toward prison expansion strategies. Data were obtained from a statewide survey, utilizing a random digit dialing telephone sampling procedure. The study sample consists of 606 respondents. Favorable attitudes toward correctional facilities were hypothesized to be explained by fear of crime, presence of an existing facility, perceived economic impact of prisons, gender, race, age, and income. The results of the regression analysis revealed that the presence of an existing prison facility, perceived economic benefits, race, and education were significant predictors of attitudes toward prison expansion strategies among Mississippians. Possible explanations for the findings and directions for future research are discussed. This research was supported by grant #30401903821 from the Department of Public Safety, Division of Public Safety Planning of the Governor’s Office, Jackson, Mississippi. Please send all correspondence to: Craig Robertson, Dept. of Sociology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT. 59717.     

The erosion of authority and the perceived legitimacy of inmate social protest: A study of prison guards

The level of control exercised by guards over inmates, it has been argued, has decreased recently as a result of therapeutic, legal, and bureaucratic changes in American prisons. Feeling that inmates too often and too easily circumvent their authority, and that greater inmate rights pose a serious threat to their ability to maintain order, guards tend to discredit inmate complaints and to deny inmates the right to lawful social protest. Questionaire data are analyzed to examine (1) the extent and degree to which guards perceive as legitimate the various means by which inmates may protest unfair treatment by staff and (2) the relationship of this perceived legitimacy of inmate social protest to a variety of factors that prior research has isolated as important in understanding prison guards as an occupational group.     

Accessing donor conception information in Australia: a call for retrospective access

Donor conception practices in Australia have left thousands of donor-conceived people, their families and gamete donors bereft of information. The lack of a nationally timeline-consistent approach to information access has driven these people to seek support and information from self-help groups, online communities and even their own DNA. This article examines the historical perspective of information access and how progress is being made through lobbying and public awareness. To determine the current status of information availability, fertility clinics around Australia were surveyed. It is argued that current practices continue to fail donor-conceived people, their families and gamete donors, and that until all donor offspring are afforded the right to know their genetic family history, they will continue to suffer discrimination, and potentially risk psychological and physical trauma.     

Evaluation of the Abuscreen for methadone.

The increased use and abuse of methadone in recent years has posed a problem of both its identification and quantitation in body tissues. Recent development of a radioimmunoassay for methadone appears to have solved the problem. In our hands the assay was extremely sensitive and specific. It also appears to be an excellent tool when quantitative estimates are to be obtained. Although it initially appears to be relatively expensive, the time saved in doing a complete tissue distribution equalizes the cost. It is hoped that other radioimmunoassays currently under development will prove as satisfactory.     

Evaluation of prison systems

Models are developed for the flow of prisoners through a state prison system. These models are used to evaluate the effectiveness of alternative correctional programs. Results based on the Georgia prison system are presented.     

监企分开后监狱生产定位的思考

一、我国监狱生产的历史功绩 监狱组织罪犯参加劳动,是当代大多数国家通行的做法。通过劳动改造罪犯成为守法公民,是我国监狱工作的特色之一。我国监狱把劳动作为改造罪犯的一种基本手段,监狱生产作为组织罪犯参加劳动的载体曾经为新中国监狱的发展作出特殊的贡献。 (一)监狱生产为监狱工作的发展奠定了基础: 新中国诞生之初,在经济上所继承的是一个十分落后的烂摊子。“1949年在工农业总产值中,现代工业产值只占17％,根据联合国亚洲及太平洋社会委员会统计,1949年中     

Assessment of prison escape risk

The literature concerning assessment of escape probability in prison inmates appears to be somewhat contradictory: A variety of potential predicator variables have been studied with mixed results. Only four state correctional systems report using a formal risk assessment predictive procedure or instrument (Hinshaw, 1978). Traditional correctional criteria (e.g., length of sentence, violent crimes, sex crimes, etc.) have been found to be of limited, utility at best (Lane & Rans, 1982). Alternative predictor variables which have been examined inchide the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), juvenile history, employment history substance abuse patterns, and marital status.     

Gainsharing: a call for guidance

Gainsharing is a device by which hospitals and physicians share in the development, implementation, and proceeds resulting from the mechanisms to make the provision of healthcare more efficient and cost effective. The goal of gainsharing programs is to save hospitals money while maintaining the same or better quality of care--a goal that will ultimately result in both better care and lower expenses for payors and for society as a whole. Nevertheless, the OIG has ruled that gainsharing programs are per se illegal. This Article analyzes the reasons behind the OIG's determination and argues that, contrary to the OIG's conclusion, the advisory opinion process is legally and practically the best way to deal with the issues raised by gainsharing programs.     

Developing relevant data for a prison organizational development program

A project to develop a set of techniques for bringing about change in an existing prison is described. The effort concentrated primarily on the managers of the statewide system, and the staff and inmates of one prison were the focus of a set of intervention experiments. Methods for modifying the network of human and organizational relationships in that system were objects of this project. The research instruments used, their use, and some of the things learned about them is given in detail.     

Managing prison gangs: Results from a survey of U.S. prison systems

Responses from a survey of gang management strategies were collected from U.S. prison systems holding 1.19 million inmates. The results provided insight into the prevalence of gang members in prisons, gang structure, as well as the strategies used to manage the threat that these groups pose. Officials from most prison systems reported an increase in the proportion of security threat group (STG) members over the past five years and that these offenders were more disruptive and sophisticated than five years ago. Despite these challenges, there was no one clear strategy for the investigation or suppression of these groups, nor did most systems evaluate the effectiveness of their current gang management interventions. A lack of rehabilitative opportunities for gang members represents one shortcoming in the range of gang management strategies in most jurisdictions. The implications of these findings are addressed.     

A comparative exploration of prison discipline

The maintenance of a sufficient level of discipline in correctional institutions, without abandoning the due process principle, is an important organizational problem that warrants theoretical and empirical research. In this study, the formal disciplinary procedures of the Ramle prison in Israel were explored, described, and compared with those of the Rhode Island State Prison. Generally, it was found that the disciplinary process in Ramle was more flexible and relaxed than the similar process in Rhode Island. The possible advantages and disadvantages of the two systems are compared and reviewed.     

Demographically disaggregated projections of prison populations

The need for improved long-run projections of prison populations has increased in recent years because of record-high numbers of inmates and severe overcrowding in state and federal prisons, and because of the growing importance of changing demographic factors in influencing corrections populations. A model is developed for projecting: general population demographics; demographic- and offense-specific arrest rates, imprisonment probabilities, and times served; and then the size and composition of prison populations. Model parameters are estimated for Pennsylvania and are shown to be sensitive to demographic factors, particularly age and race. Projections of future arrests, prison commitments, and prison population are developed for Pennsylvania using projections of demographic changes in the state's population. Arrests are expected to peak in 1980, prison commitments are expected to peak in 1985, and prison populations are expected to peak in 1990, with the subsequent declines reflecting the maturation of the postwar baby boom children out of the highly crime-prone ages and, somewhat later, out of the highly prison-prone ages.     

Men and women in the same prison: interpersonal needs and psychological health of prison inmates

The purpose of this study was to investigate the gender differences in the state of interpersonal needs and psychological health of male and female prison inmates who live in the same prison. The authors conducted in-person interviews with 118 male and 70 female inmates. The results show that women present a better interpersonal state and psychological health than do men. For both genders, the consequences of fulfilling or not fulfilling interpersonal needs-specifically, social loneliness and sexual satisfaction-are associated with psychological health. These findings suggest the importance of the state of prison inmates' interpersonal needs in promoting psychological health in the context of the prison, where these needs are generally difficult to be met. Making contacts possible between male and female inmates who are in the same prison might help them to better fulfill some of their interpersonal needs, especially those related to their sexual lives.