Testing the Implementation of a Point-based Classification System: A Comparison of DOC Initial Classifications With the NIC Model Systems Approach

• NCJ Number: 125235
• Author(s): M W Forcier; M White
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 45 pages
• Corporate Author: Massachusetts Dept of Correction
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The inmate classification system used by the Massachusetts Department of Corrections (DOC) was compared with the Model Systems Approach of the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) to determine the security level distributions that would be reached at the initial classification if DOC were to use NIC's objective, point-based model.

Abstract

The research used the initial classification decisions on 180 inmates classified at MCI-Concord and MIC-Cedar Junction. These cases were hypothetically reclassified using the NIC criteria. Results showed that 49 percent of the sample were overclassified by DOC, 43 percent were classified at the same level under both criteria, and 8 percent were underclassified according to NIC criteria. In addition, 97 percent of the sample was classified as medium or maximum custody in the DOC system, whereas the NIC system assigned 60 percent of the sample to medium or close custody. Results indicated the need for DOC to reduce its emphasis on sentence length as a classification and to supplement its existing classification system with a point-based model. Additional recommendations, tables, appended forms and background information, and 26 references.