White Collar Criminals Don't Appear to Do Worse Behind Bars Than Any Other Type of Prisoner

Remember the scene in the movie Office Space, when software workers Michael Bolton and Samir discuss the possibility of going to prison for stealing from their soulless employer? "We get caught laundering money, we're not going to white-collar resort prison. No, no, no. We're going to federal pound-me-in-the-[expletive] prison," Michael says. "I don't want to go to ANY prison!" a panicked Samir replies.

Part of the reason that scene was funny was because it reflects a common perception in American culture that white collar criminals can't handle life behind bars. Criminologists call it the "special sensitivity hypothesis." Defense attorneys often cite it as a mitigating circumstance when asking for lighter sentences for white collar clients.