SCREENING FOR EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL FITNESS IN CORRECTIONAL OFFICER HIRING

• NCJ Number: 18262
• Author(s): B GOLDSTEIN
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 19 pages
• Corporate Author: American Bar Assoc.
• Sale Source: American Bar Assoc.; National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS MONOGRAPH SUMMARIZES THE RESULTS OF A NATIONAL QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY OF SCREENING TECHNIQUES USED FOR SELECTION OF LINE CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS IN INSTITUTIONS.

Abstract

A RESPONSE OF 45 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ASSURES A COMPREHENSIVE NATIONAL PICTURE OF STEPS TAKEN TO ASSESS THE CRUCIAL QUALITIES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL FITNESS IN NEW LINE OFFICERS. THE SURVEY INDICATES THAT THE FOUR MAIN SCREENING DEVICES EMPLOYED ARE ORAL INTERVIEWS, BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND INVESTIGATIONS, REGULAR USE OF TESTING, AND MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS. VARIATIONS IN THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF THE FOREGOING DEVICES AS TECHNIQUES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SCREENING ARE CONSIDERABLE IN EACH OF THE CATEGORIES. FOR EXAMPLE, ONLY A FEW AGENCIES INCLUDE POLICE RECORD CHECKS IN CONSIDERATION OF BACKGROUND INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY THE CANDIDATE, ONLY HALF OF THE JURISDICTIONS USING WRITTEN TESTS MAKE REGULAR USE OF PERSONALITY TESTS, AND FEW MEDICAL EXAMINATION PROCEDURES INCLUDE SPECIAL PSYCHIATRIC OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS. THE MONOGRAPH INCLUDES OTHER DATA AND ANALYSIS SUCH AS REJECTION RATES, THE FACT THAT MOST RESPONDING STATES (65%) CONSIDER THEIR CURRENT PROCEDURES EFFECTIVE, THE PARTICULAR TYPES OF PERSONALITY TESTS USED TO DETERMINE PSYCHOLOGICAL FITNESS, SCREENING PROBLEMS RAISED BY CIVIL RIGHTS AND EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY LAWS AND CRITERIA, AND THE POSTURE OF CURRENT REFORM THINKING AND STANDARDS ON LINE OFFICER FITNESS AND QUALIFICATIONS. (SNI ABSTRACT)