Differences between Black and White Military Offenders: A Study of Socioeconomic,Familial, Personality, and Military Characteristics of Inmates at the United States Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth

摘要

This study examined antecedent variables that might be linked to incarcerationoffenses in the military. The author collected demographic, familial, personality, and military data on a random sample of 51 black and 51 white inmates taken from the files of the United States Disciplinary Barracks at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Results showed that black inmates in comparison to white inmates had lower ability test scores; were more apt to come from larger families where the parents were divorced, separated, or had been single parents; showed personality test profiles displaying interpersonal problems; had a larger number of prior military discipline problems; had less time in military service at the time of the incarceration offense; and were more apt to be incarcerated for violent crimes against others (assault, attempted murder, murder, rape, and robbery). On the other hand, white inmates had higher ability test scores; were more apt to come from smaller families with divorced, separated, or step parents; showed personality test scores displaying internal problems; had received fewer military nonjudicial punishments; had more time in service at the time of the incarceration offense; and were more apt to be incarcerated for sex crimes (sodomy and indecent acts with minors). There were no significant differences between black and white inmates on age, socioeconomic status, education level, birth order, military grade, prior civilian problems, military occupational speciality, or length of sentence. Discipline, Incarceration, Equal Opportunity Minority Groups.