Citation

Ford MC. J. Crim. Justice 1986; 14(3): 195-209.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1986, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0047-2352(86)90001-2

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Young offenders in New York state who received sentences of incarceration based on alternate rationales of social control were compared to determine differences in the custodial experiences under each disposition. One group of offenders received the disposition for primarily rehabilitative purposes whereas the other group received the disposition for a more punitive intent. The length of the maximum sentences imposed, the average length of time served prior to release from prison, and the conditions of confinement–facility assignment and services provided–were compared. Only minimal differences were found relative to each of these measures. Interestingly, those who received the disposition for primarily rehabilitative purposes served less time than their equally situated counterparts. This finding runs counter to today's conventional wisdom about treatment paradigms. Several explanations are offered to explain the lack of difference found for offenders receiving these dispositions imposed for such distinct rationales of social control.