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Inmate Adjustment and Change During Shock Incarceration

NCJ Number
152211
Author(s)
D L MacKenzie; J W Shaw
Date Published
Unknown
Length
40 pages
Annotation
This study compared the adjustment changes that occurred among 86 inmates participating in a Louisiana shock incarceration program and those in a similar group of 37 offenders who were eligible for shock incarceration but instead served their sentence in a regular prison.
Abstract
The Louisiana Intensive Motivational Program of Alternative Correctional Treatment (IMPACT) is limited to first-time felony offenders who are serving sentences of 7 years or less and have been recommended for the program. In addition to military training, drill, and physical exercise, IMPACT program components include ventilation therapy, reeducative therapy, substance abuse education, and prerelease education. Participants were tested before entering IMPACT and after 85 days in the program. The results indicate that IMPACT participants had more prosocial attitudes than the control group even before entry into the program. Inmates who dropped out were similar to the control sample in having more antisocial attitudes than the IMPACT group on five of the scales. After 85 days of the program, IMPACT participants had become more prosocial, while the incarcerated group had not changed in their attitudes. Upon entering the program, the IMPACT participants were more anxious, had more conflicts with others, and had less aggressive attitudes than the controls. After three months, they were less aggressive, less fearful of becoming a victim in prison, and more positive about the possibility of personal change. One explanation for the results is that the stress experienced by inmates upon beginning the program may facilitate some positive changes in their attitudes. 5 tables, 3 notes, 15 references, and 1 appendix