The purpose of this study is twofold: (1) to describe the distribution of a selected set of socio-demographic variables among a random sample of inmates of a relatively large southern state penitentiary, and (2) to correlate their drinking careers to patterns of deviant acts. The ensuing analysis emphasizes the racial composition of the sample and the relationship between the subculture of the two major racial groups and drinking styles leading to offensive behavior. Results of correlations between drinking behavior and crime are presented throughout the paper. They reveal that a very large majority of inmates tend to be "regular" drinkers, that a substantial portion of the inmates had previously experienced personal social complications as a result of drinking, and that these experiences created the "ideal" circumstances conducive to the commitment of the criminal act. The results show strong evidence to support the relationship between drinking behavior and rate of recidivism. Study limitations were twofold: (1) its design sought only to explore commenctions between deviant acts and drinking; and (2) several important variables pertaining to the inmates' first experiences with alcohol were not examined. (Author/PC)