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The Effects of Spatially Distal Prison Placements on Inmate Misconduct

Mass incarceration has led to an increased interest in prison experiences and, specifically, their effects on inmate behavior. Drawing on prior scholarship, this study examines whether the distance inmates are placed from their home communities influences their likelihood of committing in-prison misconduct. This study tests three hypotheses. The first hypothesis anticipates that distally placed inmates will engage in more in-prison misconduct. The second hypothesis expects that the effect of distance on misconduct will be greater for younger inmates. Finally, the third hypothesis predicts that social ties, measured by visitation, will mediate the relationship between distance and misconduct. These hypotheses are tested using negative binomial regression modeling and data from the Florida Department of Corrections. The models indicate a curvilinear relationship between prison distance and in-prison misconduct. That is, the individuals incarcerated close to or far from their home communities are the least likely to commit infractions. In addition, visitation only moderately diminishes this effect. Finally, the effect of prison distance on misconduct is greater for younger inmates. / A Thesis submitted to the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of Master of Science. / Summer Semester, 2014. / June 25, 2014. / Includes bibliographical references. / Daniel P. Mears, Professor Directing Thesis; Brian J. Stults, Committee Member; William D. Bales, Committee Member.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_253624
ContributorsLindsey, Andrea M. (authoraut), Mears, Daniel P. (professor directing thesis), Stults, Brian J. (committee member), Bales, William D. (committee member), College of Criminology and Criminal Justice (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution)
PublisherFlorida State University, Florida State University
Source SetsFlorida State University
LanguageEnglish, English
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeText, text
Format1 online resource, computer, application/pdf
RightsThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them.

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