Citation

Crank BR, Brezina T. Deviant Behav. 2013; 34(10): 782-802.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/01639625.2013.781439

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Although a prison sentence is often considered to be among the worst punishments that the state can provide, previous research indicates that offenders do not necessarily share this view. Some inmates, for example, adjust to prison life with relative ease, do not view their time in prison as severe punishment, and may even prefer prison to alternative sanctions such as boot camp or probation. To help explain such views, we point to the utility of a "criminal lifestyle" perspective. We argue that offenders who are committed to the values of the criminal subculture tend to view prison in a unique way. For various reasons, such offenders are less likely than others to view imprisonment as difficult or severe and they are less likely to be deterred by prison. Drawing on data from a large inmate survey, we find initial empirical support for these arguments. Implications for deterrence and future research are discussed.