NCJ Number
91460
Date Published
1983
Length
27 pages
Annotation
This study found that personality data, as collected through I-level interviews (determined specified levels of maturity), do have an impact on a measure of restitution outcome.
Abstract
The subjects used to assess the value of using personality data to predict restitution outcome were participants in a postconviction restitution program in the second judicial district of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Three criteria governed the selection of the participants: imposition of financial restitution, participation in the I-level interview, and availability of followup data. The comparative assessment of the predictive power of personality variables, offender background variables, and restitution-related characteristics in determining restitution outcome was applied to 49 cases. Successful restitution outcome was defined as payment of at least 75 percent of the monies expected without missing two or more consecutively scheduled payments. The I-level interview obtained information on the offender's perceptions of the world and his behavioral responses to events. The data amassed during the interviews made possible ratings on over 300 content and structural dimensions of the offender's personality. Personality data were found to be more effective in predicting restitution outcome than were the demographic, social, prior-record, current-offense, and restitution-related variables examined. To the extent that these results can be generalized to other populations, they suggest that if restitution program staff must choose between the use of personality data or record data in identifying candidates most likely to succeed in a restitution program, they would do better to rely on personality data. Tabular data, 18 notes, and 7 references are provided.