Cultural Implications on Inmate Experiences: Evaluating the Association between the Convict Code and Victimization in Prison

• In Event: The LoneStar Project: Factors Affecting the Health, Victimization, Retention, and Recidivism of Gang and Non-gang Members nearing Release

Abstract

The convict code has been heavily relied upon for establishing the root causes of inmate behavior. Much of this qualitative work has thoroughly examined the tenets of the convict code and theorizes that this culture is strongly associated with violence. However, some tenets of the convict code encourage inmates to mind their own business and do their time, which could be associated with decreases in inmate experiences of victimization. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to determine how the convict code is associated with violent victimization while incarcerated. To accomplish this objective, this research relies on survey-interview data from the LoneStar Project with over 800 gang and non-gang involved inmates nearing release in Texas prisons. Multivariate analyses are used to evaluate the association between culture and victimization. Implications for policy and practice related to risk assessment, classification, treatment, and reentry planning are discussed.

Authors

• Meghan Mitchell, University of Central Florida

• David Pyrooz, University of Colorado Boulder

• Scott Decker, Arizona State University