Two interrelated studies explored the self and ideal-self patterns, two important components of the total personality, of a male prison population using the Interpersonal Adjective Checklist (ICL). Both studies used the same prison subjects (n=38), who were divided equally between violent and non-violent offenders. Study I also used a normative sample (n=38) of male students. All subjects filled out two ICL forms, one with self and one with ideal-self instructions. Study I investigated the ICL patterns of the prisoners in terms of type of crime (violent vs. non-violent) and also compared the ICL scores of the prisoners (violent and non-violent) to the student group. Study II investigated the relationship between length of imprisonment and the ICL self and ideal-self patterns of the prisoners. Correlations between length of time already served and each of the thirteen ICL scores were performed for both self and ideal instruction sets (with the effects of type of crime factored out).

In Oregon, "Incompetent to Stand Trial (1ST) Patients" were observed to be increasing in number, remaining in the hospital longer, and costing more to treat. A study was designed to investigate variables that could be used to predict their length of stay at Oregon State Hospital. Data for thirteen independent variables (gender, age, having an Axis I psychosis level diagnosis, having an Axis I substance-related diagnosis, having an Axis II personality disorder diagnosis, evidence of involuntary medications, being on atypical medications at discharge, number of seclusion and restraint events, number of felony charges, number of misdemeanor charges, and number of inter-ward transfers) and one dependent variable (length of stay) were analyzed for 198 1ST patients discharged from Oregon State Hospital between January, 1999 and December, 2001. Bivariate correlations for all variables, and length of stay (LOS) means for all levels of each variable were examined and discussed. A standard multiple regression analysis was performed. The regression model accounted for 36.5% (32.7% adjusted) of the variability in (log) LOS. R for regression was found to be significantly different from zero. Five variables were found to be significant contributors to explaining the variability in (log) LOS: (square root) number of inter-ward transfers (16%), gender (5.8%), evidence of involuntary medications (5.2%), (square root) number of felony charges (2.8%), and (square root) number of seclusion and restraint events (1.6%). Despite accounting for more variability in LOS than several previous studies with psychiatric patients, 67.3% of the variability was unaccounted for by the regression model. Unstandardized regression coefficients for untransformed variables were interpreted, revealing that gender, number of inter-ward transfers, and evidence of involuntary medications significantly predicted the largest increases in LOS. Recommendations were made for further research related to LOS of 1ST patients. / Graduation date: 2003

Prisons provide us with a place to segregate criminals from the population at large, but the ongoing question is what to do with them once we have incarcerated them? On one side there is the idea that prisons should be used to punish those who have broken the law. On the other is the idea that prisons should help to rehabilitate prisoners so that they may be reintegrated into society upon their release. The purpose of this study was to examine the role correctional education programs played in the life of female offenders in light of the debate mentioned above. Based on qualitative research, the aim of this study was to listen to the prisoner's voice. What did inmates think about correctional education programs offered? Did they want such programs? Did they feel empowered by them, or did they resist being 'rehabilitated' and feign compliance? How did inmates make sense of their learning experience?