Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2002

Publication Title

Federal Probation

Volume

66

Issue

3

Pages

64-70

Abstract

A great deal of research has focused on how various groups perceive and experience incarceration. Research into this area is justified on the grounds that understanding will yield information about appropriate strategies to effectively and efficiently supervise, protect, and treat incarcerated offenders. Groups whose incarceration experiences have been considered by criminologists include female prisoners (Enos, 2001; Kruttschnitt, Gartner, & Miller, 2000; Loucks & Zamble, 2000), older prisoners (Edwards, 1998; Fry & Frese, 1992; King & Bass, 2000), and minority prisoners (Frazier, 1995; Wright, 1989). Researchers have also considered the influence that length of sentence has on the incarceration experience. Together, research suggests that different kinds of offenders will experience incarceration differently and length of sentence will have a significant influence on the offender’s adaptation (Curran, 2000; Casey & Bakken, 2001; Moyer, 1984).

While a great deal of research has considered the role of demographic factors in the adaptation to incarceration, much less research has considered how various groups adapt and respond to certain alternative sanctions. The current study examines the way that different types of offenders respond to the experience of being placed on house arrest with electronic monitoring. Four questions guide this research: 1) Do male and female offenders perceive and respond to house arrest with electronic monitoring differently? 2) Do black and white offenders perceive and respond to house arrest with electronic monitoring differently? 3) Do older offenders perceive and respond to house arrest with electronic monitoring differently than younger offenders? And 4) How does length of sentence influence offenders’ perceptions about, and experiences with, house arrest with electronic monitoring? In the review of literature, research on the incarceration experiences of different offenders will be considered to set the framework for research on the way offenders experience house arrest with electronic monitoring. The results of this study will aid in understanding strategies that would be most useful in supervising and treating different types of monitored offenders.

Original Publication Citation

Payne, B. K., & Gainey, R. R. (2002). The influence of demographic factors on the experience of house arrest. Federal Probation, 66(3), 64-70.

Download

Share

COinS