Unintended Consequences: Experiment Evidence for the Criminogenic Effect of Prison Security Level Placement on Post-Release Recidivism

• NCJ Number: 227269
• Journal: Journal of Experimental Criminology Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: June 2009 Pages: 139-162
• Author(s): Gerald G. Gaes; Scott D. Camp
• Date Published: June 2009
• Length: 24 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the theoretical premises for the claim that assignment to higher security level among inmates with the same classification scores increases postrelease recidivism, and presented data from the only experiment that has been conducted that randomly assigns inmates to prison security levels and evaluates both prison misconduct and postrelease recidivism.

Abstract

The results of the study demonstrated that level III inmates placed in level III prisons were more likely to be readmitted to prison than were the level III inmates who were randomly assigned to level I prisons. By separating inmates into homogeneous risk pools, prison administrators were inadvertently increasing the likelihood that inmates would be recommitted to prison. What was shown in this study was even when risk assessment was done properly, the public policy result might have two consequences. One is intended and is consistent with the controlling of serious misconduct and crime inside prison. The other is unintended and is consistent with the promotion of factors that elevate the likelihood an offender will be recommitted to the higher the security level placement. Most prison systems use quantitative instruments to classify and assign inmates to prison security levels equal to their level of risk. However, research offers evidence that the assignment to higher security prisons produces elevated levels of misconduct independent of the individual's propensity to commit misconduct. Evidence has also demonstrated that assignment to higher security levels among inmates with the same classification scores increases postrelease recidivism. This study tested the effects of security level assignment on postrelease outcomes, and tested the impact of institution and peer influences on both institution and postrelease behavior in an adult prison setting. Tables, figures, and references