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National Evaluation of Objective Prison Classification Systems The Current State of the Art

NCJ Number
102343
Journal
Crime and Delinquency Volume: 32 Issue: 3 Dated: (July 1986) Pages: 272-290
Author(s)
R A Buchanan; K L Whitlow; J Austin
Date Published
1986
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This article summarizes the first national evaluation of objective prison classification systems.
Abstract

Conducted by Correctional Services Group, Inc., this study focused on the development and implementation activities of correctional agencies having objective systems and analyzed the effectiveness of three representative systems. Although a majority of agencies view objective systems as important management tools, the study found that inadequate planning and validation hindered many developmental efforts. An examination of three specific systems found that although individual classification scoring items evidenced only modest correlations with prison misconduct, the instrument as a whole demonstrated a capacity to classify according to risk. The article concludes with suggested guidelines for developing, implementing, and revising objective prison classification systems. (Author abstract)