The Effects of a Rapid Increase in a Prison Population

Abstract

Effects of a rapid doubling in inmate population were examined at a federal correctional institution. Attitudinal data were collected before and after the population increase through interviews with randomly selected samples of staff and inmates. Measures of negative behavioral effects on inmates included rates of rule infractions, reporting to sick call, and formal complaints filed. There were few changes in staff and inmate attitudes toward policies, procedures, programs, services, and staff responsiveness and in staff job satisfaction. Staff and inmate expectations of increased violence and tighter security practices were not substantiated. Rates of negative inmate behaviors before and after the population increase were not significantly different. The importance of administrative decisions concerning inmate programs and services and security policies are discussed.