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Race, Institutional Rule Breaking, and Disciplinary Response: A Study of Discretionary Decision Making in Prison

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 July 2024

Eric D. Poole  and
Robert M. Regoli
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Abstract

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This study attempted to construct and test a discretionary justice model of disciplinary response to inmate rule breaking in a medium-security prison for adult male felons (N = 182). We found, first, that while black and white inmates were equally likely to engage in rule-breaking activity, blacks were more likely to be officially reported for rule infractions. Second, a prior record of official disciplinary action, itself shown to be a product of discriminatory response, influenced subsequent sanctioning decisions, thus amplifying the racial bias. Third, analyses of separate models for black and white inmates revealed the importance of prior record to be differentially imputed on the basis of race. The study concludes with a discussion of the nature and impact of stereotypic expectations and labeling processes in the reaction of guards to inmate behavior.

Type
Research Article
Information
Law & Society Review , Volume 14 , Issue 4 , Summer 1980 , pp. 931 - 946
Copyright
Copyright © 1981 The Law and Society Association

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