This document discusses variables related to the male and female prison populations in the United States. It provides statistics on ethnic populations, age, gender, sentences, security levels, offenses, and mental health of inmates. A survey was also conducted of students in a sociology class about these topics. The survey results showed that students were most accurate in their responses about the total US inmate population, the average inmate age, the percentage of the population that is male inmates, and the percentage of female prison officers.

1. Variables, Statistics, and Survey
Running head: BREAKING IT DOWN; FEMALE AND MALE INMATE
VARIABLES, PRISON STATISTICS, AND STUDENT SURVEY
Breaking It Down; Female and Male Inmate Variables, Prison Statistics, and Student
Survey
Sonja Petersen-Oswald
Hodges University
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2. Variables, Statistics, and Survey
Abstract
The United States inmate population has been noted as being a “pressing societal
problem with widespread sociological and social implications.” Statistics were taken
from a set of predictive population factors while using theoretical approaches to assess
outcomes. This paper discusses both male and female attributes toward statistics, ethnic
population, age, gender, sentence, classification, conviction offense, medical
classification and staffing consideration with regard to gender. A student questioneer
was prepared and distributed among the class which reported results concluded six
participants attempted the survey process. Results will be disclosed and discussed later in
this paper with regards to pertinent topics.
Crimes vary between societies, age, and gender and proven to be very different among
women and men, with more than 2.3 million individuals imprisoned, racial, ethnic, and
groups appear to be factors among current and former inmates. Variables of current
inmates, both male and female are classified into four categories: social, personal,
criminal history, maladaptive behavior, abuse history, and current personality, ability,
and emotional capability.
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3. Variables, Statistics, and Survey
Overcrowding
Research conducted suggests a relationship between overcrowding and the criminal
justice system to have significant contribution in the reduction of parole programs and
parolees being pushed back into the prison system, thus increasing the prison population.
Researchers have also contributed prison population increases because of changing
justice policies enforcing a tougher sentence on first time offenders. At the same time,
crime rates have decreased for society, but overcrowded correctional facilities have
become burdened. (Miller, D.W., 2010) Many states are cutting budgets by closing
prisons and transporting prisoners to other facilities for housing, freeing inmates to
probation, and treatment programs. Guantanamo Bay in Cuba was a large super-
maximum-security prison utilized in housing terrorists and other dangerous convicts.
Decreased funds will not allow this prison for continued operation and many inmates
have since been transferred to Thomson, Illinois. (Johnson, K. 2010). With current
population in the federal system alone, more than 200,000 inmates, (22,000 are in
privatized care), are faced with constant overcrowding as the federal government is
continually budget challenged regarding facility closures and staffing ratios.
Overcrowding also precipitates a greater risk of violence and abuse among inmates
and guards creating an atmosphere of aggression and punitive behavior. Increased
turnover, poor morale, and violence are more prominent when staffing ratios are at a low.
Private sectors are able to offer inmates more positive reinforced behaviors and goal-
oriented treatment in the rehabilitative process. When discussing Public and Privatized
prisons, privatized prisons have been noted to not exceed population requirements as they
limit the number of inmates entering the system, and they are capable of building larger
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4. Variables, Statistics, and Survey
structures on current sites. Building is accomplished at a rate of 2-3 times faster then that
of the federal government, making the address to overcrowding much faster. These
changes have been proven to be more cost effective while offering inmates a safer and
more productive living environment (Miller, D.W., 2010).
Gender Related
During a study of 100 adult female federal offenders in an Ontario prison, data was
collected and variables were defined in four categories; social, personal, and criminal
history, maladaptive behavior history, abuse history, and current personality, ability, and
emotional functioning. All variables were taken from previous offending, previous
violent offending, prison misconduct, and violent prison misconduct during the present
sentence. The method allowed one to determine outcome variables while taking the
contribution of all other variables into perspective. Psychopathy was the main variable
in all the other outcome variables, and maladaptation was the weakest. Females suffering
from psychiatric dysfunction were also noted to unmarried, without children, and to have
been abused at some point in life. While there were some similarities conducive with
male and female background factors relating to alcohol abuse, family violence, and
severe parental punishment. (Loukes, A.D., PH.D.). Male inmates were also significantly
connected to psychopathic dysfunction when measured and account for 16.4% of the
prison population. (B.O.P., 2011).
Ethnic Population
There are approximately 2 million people incarcerated or being supervised by parole
and probation. Minorities representing current and released inmates constitute for the
following statistical ethnic representation; African-Americans account for 13% of the
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5. Variables, Statistics, and Survey
United States population and 40% of incarcerated individuals in jails and prisons.
Caucasians account for 67% of the United States population and only 40% of
incarcerated individuals in jails and prisons. African-American and Latino inmates have
been found to serve longer sentences for similar convictions when compared to the
Caucasian ethnic group. (Wang, E., 2010). In the study, prisoners both, white and black
male inmates were noted to be at risk for misconduct and for violence. In addition,
studies have also shown Hispanics and Native Americans to be the most violent male
inmates and African American and Native American females to be the most violent
inmates of those samples. While the above information may be true, certain samples
have suggested that ethnicity is not significantly related to misconduct among prisoners.
(Berg, M. T., 2006).
Age
According to Berg, age does have a relationship between inmate misconduct within
the prison system. He states “younger inmates are indicative of causing more problems
then inmates above thirty years of age.” The average age in today’s prison society is
noted to be approximately 39 years old. (B.O.P., 2011). Typically, as inmates’ age, they
do become more of a role model for the younger and newer convicts.
Inmate Sentences and Security Levels
The highest numbers of convicted felons are imprisoned for drug offenses across the
nation. Statistics show that there are over 100,000 inmates sentenced for that reason.
Inmate population in a low level security prison is noted as the highest of the prison
population with statistics showing 38.6%. Low level security prisons have double-fenced
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currently reports that it has only one prison to house female inmates which is located in
Hazelton, West Virginia. This particular facility has developed programs to include;
personal growth while addressing needs of the female population. (B.O.P., 2011).
Mental Health in Prison
Because our nation’s budget does not account for state mental hospital beds for
mentally ill, people often end up incarcerated in the jail and prison system. Prisoners
who have been diagnosed with a mental illness account for nearly 25% of all prisons and
jail inmates. Inmates have been found more often to be repeated or habitual offenders
when a mental illness diagnosis is present. Statistics showed recidivists to have an
increased rate of psychiatric trouble and to be predominately introduced into crime at an
earlier age. Female recidivism is associated with antisocial personality disorder or
sociopathy, homosexual behavior, family problems, substance abuse, criminal activity,
being of a native heritage, and maternal hysteria. (Loukes, A. D., PH.D.)
Survey
A survey was compiled and sent to students of this Sociology class regarding
information related to public and privatized prisons, gender, sentences, mental health of
inmates, age, ethnic population, and overcrowding. Survey questions were pertinent to
the basis of which were addressed in this research paper. Please see below for survey
results from six students who answered the survey questions.
Inmates in privately managed facilities account for what number of housed inmates? 80%
said 22,939, which was correct. 20% said 5,678. What is the total inmate population in
the United States according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons? 25% said it was 100,000,
25% said it was 271,363 which was correct, and 50% said it was 1,000,567. What is the
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7. Variables, Statistics, and Survey
greatest imprisoned ethnic population in all sectors of the prison system? 40% reported
Black, 20% reported white, which was correct, and 40% reported Hispanic. What is the
average inmate age? 20% said 19, 60% said it was 25, and 20% said 39, which was
correct. Male inmate populations account for what of the prison population? 20%
reported 93.5%, 20% reported 34.7, and 60% reported 76.4% which was correct.
According to statistics, life sentence is the highest among all sentences in the prison
system? 40% said True, and 60% said False which was correct. According to statistics,
the highest at 38.6% of the inmate population is in what type of security? 60% reported
Medium, 20% reported Low, which was correct, and 20% reported High. Inmates with
drug offenses are the highest of all offenses with numbers at 101,929? 80% reported
True which was correct, and 20% reported False. Female officers account for what
prison employment breakdown? 20% reported 34%, 20% reported 54%, and 60%
reported 27.5% which was correct. Variables of prisoners who have a diagnosed mental
illness against those prisoners that don’t, account for nearly a quarter of both State
prisoners and jail inmates who had a mental health problem, compared to a fifth of those
without, had served 3 or more prior incarcerations. 60% reported True, which was
correct, and 40% reported False.
Conclusion
As our nation’s public and privatized prisons continue to rise in population,
overcrowding becomes preeminent with inmates and mental illness. Many variables are
introduced into prison’s inmate population criteria which were utilized for studies
throughout prisons and jails across the country. Because there are very few mental
hospitals available, inmates are often arrested and jailed because of their illness where
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they live the prison life in overcrowded cell blocks regardless of gender, ethnic origin, or
age.
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References
Johnson, K. (2010, February 3). States cut their budgets by closing prisons. USA Today,
Retrieved November 17, 2011, from http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2010
-02-03-prison-budget_Nhtm
Bureau of Prisons. (2011). Prison Reports. Retrieved November 16, 2011, from
http://www.bop.gov/news/research_reports.jsp#drug
Miller, D.W. (February, 2010). Relationship Between Overcrowding and Criminal Justice
Policy. Retrieved November 17, 2011 from http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides
/prisons/review5.php
Wang, E. and Green, J. (2010). Incarceration as a Key Variable in Racial Disparities of
Asthma Prevalence. BMC Public Health 2010, 10:290doi:10.1186/1471-2458-10-290
[Electronic version]. Retrieved November 15, 2011, from http;//www.biomedcentral
.com/1471-2458/10/290
Berg, M. and DeLisi, M. (2006). The Correctional Melting Pot: Race, Ethnicity,
Citizenship, and Prison Violence. [Electronic version]. Journal of Criminal Justice,
34, 631-642.
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10. Variables, Statistics, and Survey
References
Johnson, K. (2010, February 3). States cut their budgets by closing prisons. USA Today,
Retrieved November 17, 2011, from http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2010
-02-03-prison-budget_Nhtm
Bureau of Prisons. (2011). Prison Reports. Retrieved November 16, 2011, from
http://www.bop.gov/news/research_reports.jsp#drug
Miller, D.W. (February, 2010). Relationship Between Overcrowding and Criminal Justice
Policy. Retrieved November 17, 2011 from http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides
/prisons/review5.php
Wang, E. and Green, J. (2010). Incarceration as a Key Variable in Racial Disparities of
Asthma Prevalence. BMC Public Health 2010, 10:290doi:10.1186/1471-2458-10-290
[Electronic version]. Retrieved November 15, 2011, from http;//www.biomedcentral
.com/1471-2458/10/290
Berg, M. and DeLisi, M. (2006). The Correctional Melting Pot: Race, Ethnicity,
Citizenship, and Prison Violence. [Electronic version]. Journal of Criminal Justice,
34, 631-642.
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