U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Effects of Determinant Sentencing on Institutional Climate and Prison Administration - Connecticut, Minnesota, Illinois, 1981-1983

NCJ Number
97599
Author(s)
L Goodstein; J H Kramer; J R Hepburn; D L Mackenzie
Date Published
1985
Length
144 pages
Annotation
This manual presents the study instruments, variables, and coding information for the data set resulting from a study in which prison inmates in three States completed questionnaires designed to determine the effects of determinate sentencing on prison climate and administration in 1981-83.
Abstract
The nine files of data were gathered during three data collection periods in Connecticut, Minnesota, and Illinois. The first three files contain data taken from a total random sample of offenders housed at five prisons. The fourth file is an additional sample from Connecticut of inmates serving determinate sentences. The remaining five files cover various time periods and samples. The six questionnaires cover inmates' feelings about their arrest, court case, and conviction; feelings about the law; and physical problems developed during the prison term. Also covered are how time is spent in prison, family contacts outside prison, relationships with other prisoners and with correctional staff, involvement in prison programs, and criminal history. Each file has 550 records. The logical record length of each file is 80 characters.