Male and Female Prison Inmates' Differences on MMPI Scales and Revised Beta IQ

MMPI protocols of all male and female prisoners in the North Carolina Correctional System in 1971 were compared. Female inmates had significantly higher ( p < .01) IQs than did the males. With the exception of the Ap, L, and K scales, males had statistically significant higher means on all MMPI scales. Women were only higher on the Ap and K scales. The males appeared significantly more emotionally disturbed, which suggests that emotionally disturbed women may be admitted to a mental hospital.

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Sex Differences in Inmates: Anger, Sensitivity to Provocation and Family History of Imprisonment

International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology ◽

10.1177/0306624x211049189 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 0306624X2110491

Author(s):

Marta Bodecka-Zych ◽

Anna Zajenkowska ◽

Mary Bower Russa

Keyword(s):

Family History ◽

Comparison Group ◽

Female Inmates ◽

Male And Female ◽

Female Prisoners ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Incarcerated Populations ◽

History Of ◽

Male Prisoners

Little research has explored the role of aggression, anger, and family history of incarceration as they relate to female offenders. The current study aimed to address this gap in the literature by investigating these possible risk factors for incarceration among both men and women. The survey involved 123 (61 female and 62 male) prisoners convicted for violent crimes and a comparison group of 118 (60 female and 58 male) adults from the community. We found that women (convicted and non-convicted) were more sensitive to provocation than men, while community adults showed higher levels of trait anger than prisoners. Detainees were more likely than community adults to have a relative in prison. Although male and female inmates were equally likely to have a relative in prison, they differed in their relation to the imprisoned relative. Male and female prisoners showed increased risk for incarceration of same sex, first degree relatives (father and brothers for men, and mothers for women). These results may contribute to improved understanding of incarcerated populations. As such, this represents a critical first step in creating recovery programs that are more gender appropriate.

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Screening for Depression in Prisoners Using the Beck Depression Inventory

Criminal Justice and Behavior ◽

10.1177/0093854899026001006 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 107-124 ◽

Cited By ~ 57

Author(s):

JENNIFER L. BOOTHBY ◽

THOMAS W. DURHAM

Keyword(s):

North Carolina ◽

Beck Depression Inventory ◽

Female Inmates ◽

Emotional Symptoms ◽

Mild Depression ◽

Admission Process ◽

State Prison ◽

The North ◽

Test Female ◽

The Mean

As part of the admission process to the North Carolina state prison system, 1,494 prisoners completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The mean BDI score for this population was 12.57 ( SD=8.51), which corresponds to the “mild depression” range on the instrument. While overall BDI scores for prisoners were elevated relative to general population norms for the test, female inmates, younger prisoners, close custody inmates, and those serving their first period of incarceration produced even higher BDI scores. Thus, reports of generalized feelings of depression are common among prisoners. Results suggest that a score of 20 might serve as an appropriate cutting score to determine the need for further assessment and mental health intervention in this population. Factor analysis of the inmates' responses yielded four distinct, interpretable factors labeled (a) cognitive symptoms, (b) vegetative symptoms, (c) emotional symptoms, and (d) feelings of punishment. These factors may suggest different components of the response to incarceration.

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