Psychological effects of imprisonment on confined individuals.

Abstract

This article reviews 90 experimental studies that examined the psychological effects of imprisonment on performance, personality, and attitudinal variables. An analysis of the studies revealed that they suffered from considerable methodological problems, including the use of inadequate research designs and unsystematic sampling procedures. The types of subjects and time periods used varied widely, thus making a comparison of the findings, at times, difficult. The results suggested that imprisonment is not harmful to all individuals: Some persons deteriorated in response to confinement, other persons improved their functioning, and still others showed no appreciable change. A complex interaction of factors including individual difference variables, institutional orientation, degree of crowding, phase of sentence, and peer group affiliation seems to influence an individual's response to confinement. The findings also have implications for current correctional controversies such as the "nothing works" issue and the relative value of determinate versus indeterminate sentencing procedures. Future research should further clarify the effects on prisoner adjustment of intrainstitutional variables such as crowding, solitary confinement, prison policy changes, and peer group affiliation. The various patterns of adaptation to confinement in relation to individual difference variables also should be explored.According to recent U.S. Department of Justice surveys (1977, 1978), more than 276,000 adults and 74,000 juveniles are confined in our nation's prisons and reformatories. Convicted criminals are being sentenced to prison at a rate that is the highest in the world, these sentences becoming longer and harsher as the crime rate escalates (Doleschal, 1977). Similar increases in .the number of juveniles confined have been noted, with concomitant increases in the number of public facilities, staff members employed, and financial expenditures (U.

Inmates' attitude change during incarceration: A comparison of boot camp with traditional prison

“…This finding supports previous research suggesting that prisons may have some positive influence on some inmates (Bonta and Gendreau 1987;Bukstel and Kilman 1980;Goodstein and Wright). The analyses examining differences in the magnitude of change in antisocial attitudes suggested that program characteristics may affect the reduction in such attitudes.…”

A brief Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based intervention among violence-prone male inmates delivered by novice therapists

“…On the other hand, characteristics of total institutions such as correctional facilities may produce a unique set of psychological changes in order to survive (e.g., Goffman, 1961). Previous research has shown that although incarceration may not be harmful to all individuals, in certain circumstances it may be linked to negative psychological effects (e.g., Bukstel & Kilmann, 1980). This is especially true in the early stages of incarceration, during which psychiatric symptoms may increase (e.g., Harding & Zimmermann, 1989).…”

Serious Offenders: Using Evidence to Predict and Manage the Risk

“…On the one hand, the prison environment is particularly criminogenic, full of young and anti‐social offenders. The constant influx of new prisoners and the rigid rules and regulations serve to reinforce anti‐social attitudes and behaviours, thereby increasing the likelihood of aggressive behaviour (Bukstel & Kilmann, ; Gendreau, Goggin, & Law, ). On the other hand the environment may be seen as unusually structured and sterile, particularly among longer term populations, anticipating parole applications.…”