It’s not so black and white: A conjunctive analysis of racial differences in incidents of prison misconduct

ABSTRACTThe current study examines racial differences in factors of prison misconduct within the Arkansas Department of Corrections. Using Conjunctive Analysis of Case Configurations, we examined racial differences in factor combinations of violent and nonviolent prison infractions. The analysis was framed using both deprivation and importation models of prison behavior. The results demonstrated racial differences in individual, situational, and environmental factor profiles, particularly within violent offenses. Further, the results partially supported both importation and deprivation models; yet, only found support for a racially-specific importation theory. Limitations and policy implications are discussed.