Assessing the Relationship Between Police Use of Force and Inmate Offending (Rule Violations)

• NCJ Number: 248797
• Author(s): Charles F. Klahm IV, Benjamin Steiner, Benjamin Meade
• Date Published: November 2014
• Length: 1 page
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Award: Assessing the Relationship between Exposure to Violence and Inmate Maladjustment Within and Across State Correctional Facilities

Annotation

This study assessed the effects of exposure to police use of force on inmates’ odds of offending in prison, using survey data collected from a national sample of inmates.

Abstract

The study found, after applying relevant controls, prisoners subjected to police violence were more likely to engage in assaults and other rule violations, especially those who did not resist police authority. Consistent with the cycle of violence hypothesis, findings suggest violence perpetrated by legal authorities produces similar effects to exposure to violence in general. Moreover, the consequences of police use of force are especially problematic when the recipient fails to perceive his or her treatment was fair, which supports the theoretical perspective on procedural fairness and legitimacy. Policy implications are discussed. (Publisher abstract modified)