No abstract

Forty inmates ranging in age from 63 to 80 were tested and interviewed to determine the degree to which they perceived the prison environment as stressful. They were compared on measures of anxiety, anger, and curiosity with a group of younger inmates and with a standardization group. Their responses on these measures were similar to those of the younger inmates but significantly different from those of the standardization group. The interview, designed to assess the subjects reactions to incarceration, indicated that these older inmates tend to create afacade of adjustment. This normal appearance, which results from a denial and suppression of their feelings, masks their stress and anger. This phenomenon of adjustment tends to inhibit development of programs to cope with this problem.

The present study explored the effects of the demographic variables of age, race (ethnicity), gender, marital status, and education on stress, anger, curiosity, perception of institutional stressors, and reactions to institutional variables manifested by inmates incarcerated in Florida prisons. A total of 783 inmates were selectedfrom eight different institutions housing adult, youthful offender, and female inmates. The sample included some of the least violent and most violent inmates in the system. The measures used consisted of standardized paper and pencil tests designed to assess anxiety, anger, and curiosity. In addition, several nonstandardized measures of institutional stressors and of inmates' reactions to institutional stressors were also employed. The data revealed that inmates enter the institution with a set of personal characteristics that could have substantial impact on their relationships with other inmates and correctional staff. The results were interpreted in terms of both institutional and interpersonalfactors.

The purpose of the present study was twofold: First, to determine how individuals would perceive the elderly criminal when compared to the adult and juvenile criminal; and second, to determine if individuals would assign different punishments for the elderly criminal when compared to the adult and juvenile criminal . The subjects were 102 respondents divided into three groups of 34 respondents each (elderly, college students, and law enforcement officers). These groups were further divided into equal subgroups by sex. Respondents were asked to fill out a questionnaire consisting of a brief scenario describing a crime being committed followed by a list of attributes to be assigned for each of six conditions in which the age of the offender (elderly, adult, and juvenile) and the sex of the offender varied. Findings showed that the elderly criminal was perceived in a significantly more positive manner than the adult or juvenile criminal and that the elderly criminal received a significantly more lenient sentence than the adult criminal. There were no differences between the adult and juvenile with respect to sentencing. The results were interpreted in terms of their practical implications for the criminal justice system.

The presentence investigation completed by an agent of the court provides considerable information concerning the felony offender. The present work analyzes the relationship between factors identified in the presentence investigation and success or failure of first-time offenders while under probation supervision. An attempt was made to isolate the factors with the strongest relationship to success or failure. After the factors were isolated, those showing the strongest relationship to supervision were organized into a rating scale to be used by probation officers when making sentencing recommendations related to first-time felony offenders.