Evaluation of California Department of Corrections Inmate Classification System Study

• NCJ Number: 124572
• Author(s): J Austin; W Pannell
• Date Published: Unknown
• Length: 31 pages
• Corporate Author: National Council on Crime and Delinquency Research Ctr
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This report reviews the California Department of Corrections' (CDC) evaluation of its prisoner classification system.

Abstract

The classification system represents the process by which inmates are assigned to CDC facilities and is essential to the overall management and operating costs of the prison system. Classification data are also used to estimate what type of new prisons will be required in the future. Findings indicate that the current CDC classification scoring system is overclassifying inmates, placing too much weight on the inmate's prison term for classification. The influence of the age factor should be enhanced as it has proven itself to be a strong predictor of misconduct but is having a minimal influence on the scoring process. CDC should implement an ongoing evaluation to monitor the classification system and its effects on the prison system. Specific research is needed over the next two years to measure the amount of overclassification which is likely to occur in the future. This research should be conducted by a team of trained researchers located within CDC's Research Division. 1 chart, 1 exhibit, 11 references.