Effects of Crowding in Prisons.

Research on crowding in prisons is reviewed. Studies have shown that crowding in prisons can increase blood pressure, palmar sweat, illness complaints, and aggression. The number of people per housing unit appears to be more important than space per person. Tolerance for crowding was found to decrease with the experience of crowding. Research on crowding in other settings was related to the research on crowding in prisons. (Author)