Prison Resources and Physical/Verbal Assault in Prison: A Comparison of Male and Female Inmates

Abstract

This paper focuses on inmates' misconduct as a measure of prison adaptation. By using a contextual framework that draws on the descriptive and explanatory powers of the classical theories of adaptation to prison, the “importation” and “functionalist” models, this paper investigates whether inmates' participation in religious programs, work assignments, and contacts with the outside world influence their likelihood to commit verbal or physical assault during incarceration and whether this effect varies by sex. Statistical analyses developed using the Survey of Inmates in State and Federal Correctional Facilities of 2004 showed that both female and male inmates similarly benefit from the use of these resources while incarcerated.