NCJ Number
143092
Date Published
1991
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This paper describes a risk-assessment model that is being developed at Her Majesty's Prison (HMP) Wakefield, based on staff observation of behavior; the paper includes a description of the model and the process by which it is being validated.
Abstract
The method of risk assessment tested in a pilot study at HMP Wakefield was based on observation of an inmate's behavioral patterns while in prison. All offenders at Wakefield are serving long sentences for serious offenses that usually involve violent or sexual behavior. Inmates are assessed during their time at Wakefield and then transferred to other institutions, depending on the likely amount of time they will serve and their perceived risk. The primary aim of the pilot study was to demonstrate to what degree prison behaviors could be predicted from offending behaviors. The study also sought to determine how easily behaviors might be monitored in the prison setting. The risk assessment procedure was applied to a sample of 65 inmates selected randomly. A set of unique predictions about prison behavior was produced for each offender by combining the predictions of psychologists, who used assessments of past behavior. To assess prison behaviors, two psychologists who had not been involved in the initial risk assessment analyzed the subjects' current prison records and staff reports on prison behavior; prison officers who had personal knowledge of the offenders completed a checklist on the inmates' current behavior. Information was also obtained from various other sources regarding offenders' prison behavior. Predicted behaviors and actual behaviors were analyzed by three independent raters. The findings demonstrate that prison behavior can be predicted from previous offending behavior in a consistent manner. Areas for further study are identified.