NCJ Number
78085
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 8 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1981) Pages: 173-184
Date Published
1981
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Samples from a State forensic hospital, a prison mental hospital, regular prison units, and the community were administered the Competency Screening Test to differentially examine both the test scores of such populations and the instrument's sensitivity.
Abstract
The study expected increasing scores across the groups -those committed for competency examination producing the lowest scores, hospitalized inmates obtaining a higher score, and the scores of the inmate and community groups following. The results indicate that all group scores are above the criterion score recommended as sufficient to raise the issue of competency. Among the groups, the community volunteers scored highest and the hospitalized inmates scored lowest. Significant differences were found between the hospitalized inmate group and both the community volunteer and forensic patient groups. Several potential influences on test responses suggest that the examinee's relative circumstance and experience regarding the criminal justice system be carefully considered before drawing competency conclusions. Further investigation is suggested regarding projective interpretation and other clinical uses of the instrument. A total of 18 references are included. (Author abstract modified.)