A Study of Infraction Specialization: Validating a Typology of Infraction Behavior Using Prisonization, Importation and Social Control Theory
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Date
2008-05-15
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Abstract
The purpose of the current research is to examine infraction behavior in North Carolina Prisons by creating a typology of infraction of behavior and modeling the occurrence of the specific types of infractions, seeking evidence for and against possible infraction specialization. There are three specific phases of analysis. First, exploratory factor analysis is conducted to create a typology of infractions. Second, a Markov model is created to examine the extent of infraction specialization. Finally, hierarchical linear modeling logistic regression is used to both discover how three theories — prisonization, importation and social control — predict the occurrence of the different infractions types identified in the first phase of the analysis and as well as to help partially validate the infraction typology presented. Hierarchical linear modeling logistic regression results indicate that there are different predictors for the different infraction types, supporting the need to distinguish between them. Further, the Markov Model used to examine change of behavior over time supports limited specialization in infraction careers and shows that infraction behavior is not random. Overall, there is moderate support for the proposed typology and for the presence of specialization in infraction careers.
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infraction, importation, prisonization, inmate misbehavior
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Degree
PhD
Discipline
Sociology
