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

Abstract

This study examined antecedent variables that might be linked to incarceration offenses 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 non-judicial 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.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1993
Accession Number
AD1060154

Entities

People

  • Stephen B. Knouse

Organizations

  • Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Data Science
  • Education
  • Imprisonment
  • Information Science
  • Personality
  • Psychological Tests
  • Statistical Samples
  • United States

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Brain and Cognitive Science; Experimental Psychology; Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Criminal Law
  • Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Care for Military Service Members and Veterans with Limb Loss or Disability.