The Importation of Violent “Codes” of South Korean Inmates

Abstract

Despite the popularity of the importation model, the majority of previous institutional misconduct research has used individual characteristics, such as race, prior record, education, and sex as proxies to test this theory. This study examines particular oppositional beliefs and values found in Anderson’s “code of the street” through an analysis of self-report data from 951 adult male prison inmates in South Korea. This study fills a void in previous research by examining direct impacts of imported belief systems on inmate interpersonal aggression toward fellow inmates and correctional officers.