Abstract
Currently, a good deal of debate about the use of determinate sentences and attendant proposals is taking place within academic, legislative, and professional circles. This study examines these proposals in terms of the perceptions of prison inmates. Male inmates in a Plains State correctional institution were surveyed in order to determine the extent to which they support proposals for "flat-time" sentencing, "day to day" good time, voluntary treatment, and the elimination of parole. The majority of inmates supported all four proposals, although substantial variation in the amount of support exists across proposals. Variables that serve as indicators of inmate "self-interest" and inmate "experience" provide very little explanation for the variation in inmate responses. Iffuture behavior is consistent with the self-reported data presented in the present study, only limited negative reaction by inmates to the actual implementation of these proposals should be expected.
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