The purpose of this study was to examine the differences between female and male prison inmates using the Survey of Inmates of State and Federal Correctional Facilities, 1997. Variables examined included current offense, criminal history, drug use history, victimization history, program participation in the institution, disciplinary infractions in the institution, family history and interaction with family while in prison. Results indicate that male inmates have worse criminal histories and longer sentences. Female inmates have, more extensive drug use histories, greater victimization histories, more program participation in the institution, and more criminality in their families of origin than do males. Moreover, males had more numerous disciplinary infractions in the institution and more serious infractions. Females had greater interaction with family while in prison than do males. Implications for future research and correctional practice are discussed.

Contains profiles of felons incarcerated in Fed. and state correctional facilities, using data from the two most recent surveys of inmates in Fed. and state correctional facilities. It addresses the following questions: (1) what were the overall profiles -- personal demographics, family background, criminal record, drug history, and treatment participation -- for state and for Fed. prison inmates in 1997, and were there any differences between state and Fed. inmates or by current offense type, race, and gender?; and (2) in comparing the 1991 and 1997 profiles, were there any changes in the overall profiles for state and for Fed. inmates or by current offense type, race, and gender?

The first joint survey of prisoners held in state and federal prisons. Interviews were conducted among inmates housed in 53 federal and 273 state prisons. Samples consist of about 14,000 state prisoners and about 6,600 federal prisoners. They were queried about their social and criminal histories. Represents the single largest collection of information on prisoners ever undertaken in the U.S. Covers: current offense, sentence length, criminal history, drug and alcohol use, weapons, personal and family characteristics, HIV, and activities since admission.