Prison Crowding Research: The Relevance for Prison Housing Standards and a General Approach Regarding Crowding Phenomena

The results of a research program on the effects of crowding in prisons & jails are summarized. The relationship of crowding to rates of suicide, non-violent deaths, violent deaths, psychiatric commitments, inmate-on-inmate assaults, disciplinary infractions, & attempted suicide & self-mutilations as evidenced in archival records from 4 state prison systems is examined. Research methodology is described. In general, crowding in prisons appears to be related to increased pathology. (NBB)