Fear of Victimization Among Incarcerated Youths: Examining the Effects of Institutional “Neighborhood” Characteristics and Gang Membership

Authors

Jodi Lane, University of Florida
Gaylene Armstrong, University of Nebraska at OmahaFollow
Kathleen A. Fox, Arizona State University

Author ORCID Identifier

Armstrong - https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6003-0031

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-20-2018

Publication Title

Youth and Society

Volume

51

Issue

3

First Page

417

Last Page

439

Abstract

This study examines whether neighborhood factors found to predict fear of crime among the general population can be adapted to explain inmate fear of victimization inside juvenile correctional institutions. We test (a) whether institutional physical disorder, resident trust, and formal social control can predict fear of victimization, and (b) whether the importance of these factors for fear of victimization varies based on preincarceration street gang status. Using data from a large national sample of incarcerated youths, findings indicate non-gang members are more afraid of institutional victimization than gang members, confirming findings about levels of fear between these groups on the street. “Neighborhood” (institutional) physical disorder and resident trust predicted fear for gang and non-gang youths, whereas formal social control was significant only among non-gang youths. We discuss policy implications and directions for future research.

Comments

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Sage in Youth and Society on March 20, 2018, available online: https://doi.org/10.1177/0044118X18764522

Reuse restricted to noncommercial and no derivative uses.

Recommended Citation

Lane, J., Armstrong, G. S., & Fox, K. A. (2018). Fear of victimization among incarcerated youths: Examining the effects of institutional "neighborhood" characteristics and gang membership. Youth & Society, 51(3), 417-439. https://doi.org/10.1177/0044118X18764522