NCJ Number
13544
Date Published
1974
Length
17 pages
Annotation
EXPERIMENT TO TEST THE EFFECT OF REPRESENTATION ON THE HEARING DECISION AND THE VARIANCE OF THIS EFFECT WITH THE TYPE OF REPRESENTATION.
Abstract
REPRESENTATIVES, ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY NON-LEGAL, WERE ALLOWED TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF FEDERAL PRISION INMATES AND ANSWER QUESTIONS. THIS REPRESENTATION, OFTEN BY CORRECTIONAL STAFF MEMBERS, FAMILY, OR FRIENDS, GAVE INMATES AN IMPRESSION OF FAIRNESS AS WELL AS MORAL SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE FOR THE LESS ARTICULATE INMATES WHEN COMMUNICATING THEIR FEELINGS TO THE PAROLE BOARD. AMONG THE FINDINGS OF THE STUDY IS THE CONCLUSION THAT REPRESENTED INMATES ARE RELEASED MORE OFTEN AND EARLIER THAN NON-REPRESENTED INMATES. STATISTICAL DATA ARE PROVIDED.