Intentions and the Structures of Attitudes among Inmates and Noninmates

Abstract

Attitude measures were used to predict inmate and nominate status for six samples. Inmates were correctly classified from non inmates in 88 per cent of the cases. Noninmates were correctly classified in 86 per cent of the cases. Group differences in attitudes were significant at the .001 level of confidence. The results sug gest that inmates may be more estranged from society and self- centered in their attitudes than noninmates. It was concluded that attitude measures are potentially useful as one method of evaluat ing correctional treatment and training methods, selecting or classi fying inmates, and researching criminological concepts.