Exploring the Link between Prison Crowding and Inmate Misconduct

• In Event: Potential Factors for Prison Misconduct

Abstract

As a consequence of mass incarceration, prison crowding has become a major concern for prison administrators over the past few decades. Although there are many potential consequences of prison crowding, increases in misconduct, particularly violent misconduct, have been identified as one of the most concerning. This study examines the relationship between prison crowding and inmate misconduct in the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. Utilizing 36 months of data (January 2012-December 2014), this study considers both between-institutional differences and within-institutional changes in inmate misconduct as it relates to institutional crowding.

Author

• Emily Morgan Glazener, University of Maryland