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One hundred ninety-four inmates responded to a measure that taps Erikson's fifth stage of psychosocial development, dealing with the issues of identity. Information concerning previous and current criminal activity, along with basic demographic information, was also collected. Cross-checks conducted on selected information within the Utah State Department of Correction's computer system suggest validity for inmate self-reports. The criminal behavior questions were addressed in two main sections: previous and current criminal behavior. Results illustrate consistent relationships that exist between criminal behavior and cognitive identity style (the corollary to Marcia's identity statuses). The identity styles represent the process involved with personal decision making and problem solving. Individuals with the style labeled "Information orientation" thoroughly consider relevant information before decisions and commitments are made; those with a "Normative orientation" are primarily concerned with the expectations of significant others; and those with a "Diffuse/Avoidant orientation" procrastinate and fail to resolve confronting problems. Findings suggest that previous criminal behavior was related to cognitive identity style; current criminal behavior was not. Specifically, Diffuse/Avoidant individuals are more likely to engage in substance use at a younger age than their criminal peers, get arrested younger, be involved in multiple arrests and convictions, have spent a longer time in prison and/or jail, and to have previous and current property convictions. Inmates with a Normative style tend to use substances at an older age than their criminal cohorts, are about four years older at first arrest, have fewer arrests and convictions, spend less time incarcerated, and are more likely to have had a previous and current drug offense. Information-oriented individuals tend to straddle these extremes on most variables and show no profound trends in the data. Discrimination between Diffuse/Avoidant and Normative individuals has been found previously in substance use research.

It is the purpose of this study to show how the Academic Educational Program of the Adult Authority at San quentin in succeeding or failing in its avowed aim, the education of the illiterate prisoners. The protection of society, both immediate and ultimate, in conceived to be the primary purpose of a correctional system. "1 However, this study will not include the broad rehabilitation phase of the programs but will be limited to the academic accomplishments in terms of public school grade placement.

The present thesis is a study of 103 LDS inmates at Utah State Prison. It tests the hypothesis that the inmates are more likely to come from non-cohesive homes. In 1959, Dr. Evan T. Peterson completed a study of three thousand 12-18 year old LDS male youths. Out of Dr. Peterson's respondents, 112 sixteen-eighteen year old subjects were selectively drawn to match the inmate sample in terms of fathers' occupation and education. This stratified sample was used as the control group. The study confirmed the above family environment hypothesis. It found that when compared to the control group, the LDS inmates more frequently came from homes where there was a general lack of congeniality, of family activities, and of family stability. The study concluded that a cohesive family environment is one of the most important deterrents to delinquency. The study also tested alternative hypotheses. The study confirmed hypotheses concerning religiosity, peer relationships and self-concept. This indicated that religion, good peer relations and a good self-concept are also important deterrents to delinquency. The study also tested hypotheses concerning SES and Anomie. It was concluded that a better stratified sampling technique should be used before the hypothesis, that social class makes a difference, could be accepted or not accepted.

Master of Arts (Research) / This thesis examines a ledger which listed all the causes of death in Darlinghurst Gaol, Sydney’s main gaol, from 1867 to 1914 when the gaol was closed and all the prisoners were transferred to the new Long Bay Gaol at Maroubra. The ledger lists the name of the deceased prisoner, the date of their death, the age of the prisoner at the time of their death and the cause of death along with any special comments relevant to the death where necessary. This ledger was analysed in depth and the death rates and diseases causing the deaths were compared to the general population in New South Wales and Australia as well as to another similar institution namely Auburn Prison, the oldest existing prison in New York State and the general population of the United States of America (where possible). Auburn Prison was chosen because it was the only other prison in the English speaking world (British Empire and United States of America) that had a similar complete list of deaths of prisoners in the same time frame – in this case beginning in 1888. The comparison showed that the highest death rates were in the general population of the United States of America (statistics on New York State alone could not be found) followed by Auburn Prison followed by the general population of Australia then the general population of New South Wales (the latter two were very similar) and the lowest death rates were in Darlinghurst Gaol. The analysis showed that individuals were less likely to die in the main prison, compared to the relevant general population in New South Wales and New York State despite the fact that 8 – 9% of these prison deaths were due to executions, a cause of death not encountered in the general population. This thesis explores the reasons why mortality rates were lower in prison despite the popular perception was that Victorian era gaols were places of harshness, cruelty and death (think of the writings of Charles Dickens, the great moralist writer who was the conscience of the era) compared to the general free population.

Master of Arts (Research) / This thesis examines a ledger which listed all the causes of death in Darlinghurst Gaol, Sydney’s main gaol, from 1867 to 1914 when the gaol was closed and all the prisoners were transferred to the new Long Bay Gaol at Maroubra. The ledger lists the name of the deceased prisoner, the date of their death, the age of the prisoner at the time of their death and the cause of death along with any special comments relevant to the death where necessary. This ledger was analysed in depth and the death rates and diseases causing the deaths were compared to the general population in New South Wales and Australia as well as to another similar institution namely Auburn Prison, the oldest existing prison in New York State and the general population of the United States of America (where possible). Auburn Prison was chosen because it was the only other prison in the English speaking world (British Empire and United States of America) that had a similar complete list of deaths of prisoners in the same time frame – in this case beginning in 1888. The comparison showed that the highest death rates were in the general population of the United States of America (statistics on New York State alone could not be found) followed by Auburn Prison followed by the general population of Australia then the general population of New South Wales (the latter two were very similar) and the lowest death rates were in Darlinghurst Gaol. The analysis showed that individuals were less likely to die in the main prison, compared to the relevant general population in New South Wales and New York State despite the fact that 8 – 9% of these prison deaths were due to executions, a cause of death not encountered in the general population. This thesis explores the reasons why mortality rates were lower in prison despite the popular perception was that Victorian era gaols were places of harshness, cruelty and death (think of the writings of Charles Dickens, the great moralist writer who was the conscience of the era) compared to the general free population.