Importation and deprivation explanations of juveniles' adjustment to correctional facilities

Two theoretical explanations, importation and deprivation, are commonly use d to explain inmate adjustment to the correctional environment. This study examined the relationship of selected importation and deprivation factors a n juveniles' anxiety levels while they were confined to institutions. Self- reported data collected from 3,986 juveniles and aggregate level data colle cted from interviews with administrators at 48 U.S. correctional facilities were used in a probit regression analysis. Importation and deprivation fac tors were found to have a significant impact on juveniles' anxiety levels. Youth who were younger, White, or had a history of exposure to family viole nce experienced more anxiety. Youth confined to an institution modeled afte r military boot camps reported higher levels of anxiety. Juveniles who perc eived their institution as having less justice and permitting less activity reported more anxiety. Consistent with prior literature, support was provi ded for a combined theoretical model of importation and deprivation factors for explaining juveniles 'institutional adjustment.