A Preliminary Investigation of the Intersection of Race and Disabilities among Inmates in the U.S. State Prison System

• DOI: 10.1177/0306624X18805599
• Published date: 01 March 2019
• Author: Natasha A. Baloch,Wesley G. Jennings
• Date: 01 March 2019
• Subject Matter: Articles

https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X18805599

International Journal of

Offender Therapy and

Comparative Criminology

2019, Vol. 63(4) 597 –609

© The Author(s) 2018

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DOI: 10.1177/0306624X18805599

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Original Manuscript

A Preliminary Investigation of

the Intersection of Race and

Disabilities among Inmates in

the U.S. State Prison System

Natasha A. Baloch1 and Wesley G. Jennings2

Abstract

The American prison system is overcrowded with minorities in general, and African

Americans, in particular. The Department of Justice notes that more than 50% of the

prison population have some type of mental disability. In this study, we examine the

intersection between race and disabilities in the U.S. State prison system. Using the

Rehabilitation Services Administration data set, the study highlights the prevalence

and type of disabilities in the prison inmate population. Results demonstrate that

African American inmates are overrepresented among inmates with disabilities,

are more likely to have mental disabilities relative to physical disabilities, and these

results hold for various types of mental disabilities including cognitive, psychosocial,

and other mental disabilities. Study limitations and directions for future research are

also discussed.

Keywords

race, African American, Hispanics, disabilities, corrections, mental health, physical

health

Introduction

U.S. prisons are overrepresented with ethnic minorities. Specifically, African

Americans comprise the most overrepresented group in U.S. prisons. Although African

1University of South Florida, Tampa, USA

2Texas State University, San Marcos, USA

Corresponding Author:

Natasha A. Baloch, Department of Criminology, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue,

MHC 1110, Tampa, FL 33620, USA.

Email: nbaloch@health.usf.edu

805599IJOXXX10.1177/0306624X18805599International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative CriminologyBaloch and Jennings

research-article2018