The Victimized White in a Juvenile Correctional System

Abstract

The victimization of confined juvenile offenders by their peers focuses attention on the problems of individual adjustment and cop ing in large correctional settings. A study of inmates' behavior in six coeducational training schools of a southeastern state found high rates of victimization and personal intimidation of white youths by more dominant and aggressive black residents. However, the level of vic timization or inmate violence in these six training schools was not comparable to what has been reported in studies carried out in other states. Even so, the nature of the institutional life reported by resi dents and staff suggests that the policy of incarcerating juvenile of fenders in large correctional centers is of questionable value.