Offender to Inmate to Parolee: An Examination of the Evolution of Behaviors Across Contexts

• In Event: Parole, Parole Revocation & the Reentry Process

Abstract

When attempting to understand the formation of inmate subculture, as well as inmate misconduct, scholars have long relied on the importation framework. Within this framework, it is argued that inmates bring the attitudes and patterns of behaviors that resulted in their incarcerations into the prison environment (Irwin & Cressey, 1962). Furthermore, due to the transference of attitudes and values among inmates coupled with the personal deprivation of liberties and agency experienced by inmates, incarceration may shape post-release behaviors. The current study tests the effects of importation and deprivation theories by examining the consistency or disruption in types of offending based on prior arrest records, prison misconduct records, and parole revocation records. Relying on this framework, it is hypothesized that the types of misconduct inmates engage in while incarcerated (e.g., violent, property, public order offenses) will reflect the types of misconduct they engage in during incarceration. Additionally, it is hypothesized that the inmate subculture may exacerbate deviant attitudes and offending, and therefore will lead to an amplification in the level of serious in offending for those who are reincarcerated for new crimes while under parole supervision.

Authors

• Rebecca Headley Konkel, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

• Jane C. Daquin, University of Alabama