NCJ Number
3455
Date Published
1968
Length
22 pages
Annotation
AN ANALYSIS OF THE VARIATION IN RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY CALIFORNIA PAROLE OFFICERS.
Abstract
PAROLE OUTCOME IS A FUNCTION NOT ONLY OF PAROLEE BEHAVIOR BUT ALSO OF ORGANIZATIONAL PRESSURES ON THE OFFICER. ACCORDINGLY, OFFICERS' RECOMMENDATIONS WITH REGARD TO HYPOTHETICAL CASES WERE EXAMINED IN AN ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY SOME OF THOSE PRESSURES. RESULTS REVEALED THAT THERE WAS A TENDENCY TOWARD AGREEMENT AMONG OFFICERS WITHIN A GIVEN OFFICE, BUT SUBSTANTIAL DIFFERENCES IN RECOMMENDATION PATTERNS BETWEEN OFFICES. UNIFORMITY WITHIN AN OFFICE RESULTED FROM THE SUPERVISOR'S ORIENTATION WHICH AFFECTED SIGNIFICANTLY THE BEHAVIOR OF HIS SUBORDINATES BUT NOT THEIR VALUE ORIENTATION. ADDITIONALLY, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE HIGHER AN OFFICER IN THE ORGANIZATIONAL HIERARCHY THE MORE WILLING HE WAS TO CONTINUE AN OFFENDER ON PAROLE. OTHER FACTORS SUCH AS AN OFFICER'S BACKGROUND HAD ONLY A SLIGHT EFFECT ON HIS DECISION-MAKING. RESULTS WERE CONFIRMED BY A FOLLOW-UP STUDY OF ACTUAL PAROLE OUTCOMES.