Coping with Imprisonment: Testing the Special Sensitivity Hypothesis for White-Collar Offenders.

摘要

The following study uses nationally representative prison data, based on inmates' self-reports, to test two competing theories of how white-collar offenders experience prison. The first perspective, referred to as the special sensitivity hypothesis, is based on the idea that the social and demographic background characteristics make white-collar offenders more susceptible to the pains of imprisonment than other inmates. Conversely, the second perspective, referred to as the special resiliency hypothesis, is based on the notion that these same background characteristics may work to reduce the pains of imprisonment for white-collar offenders. Multilevel and single-level regression models are used to estimate the effect of white-collar inmate status---which include both offender- and offense-based characteristics---on several indicators of prison adjustment, including victimization, prison conduct, psychological adjustment, and participation in prison programs. The current study finds partial support for the special resiliency hypothesis but limited support for the special sensitivity hypothesis. The results for each outcome are discussed in reference to both theoretical and practical implications. The study's limitations are also addressed and directions for future research on incarcerated white-collar offenders are given.