"The prison population is growing dramatically, and, if administrators are going to try to accomplish anything beyond mere warehousing of inmates, they could use the information that this book provides. The study shows that the type of classification system needed may vary with the types of inmates and the organizational structures of the institutions. It also shows that a less complex classification model can be as accurate as a more elaborate model. Thus, efficiency of administration can be increased without sacrificing accuracy." — Peter C. Kratcoski, Chairman, Department of Criminal Justice Studies, Kent State University

Acknowledgments

1. Introduction

Research Questions

Implications

Research Setting and Design Overview
Description of the Five Classification Systems
Administrative Context of Internal Classification
Organization of the book

2. Descriptions of the Five Classification System s

Empirical Typologies

Megargee's MMPI-Based Typology
Quay's Adult Internal Management System (AIMS)

Theoretical Typologies

Interpersonal Maturity Level
Jesness Inventory I-level System
Conceptual Level

Discussion

3. Previous Research

Methodology of Classification and Prediction
Psychological Classification in Corrections

Reliability
Construct Validity
Predictive Validity and Institutional Adjustment

Discussion

4. Methodology

Sample Selection
Data Collection Process
Availability of Data
Measure of Research Variables

Social, Demographic, and Criminal History
Interview Background (Content) Items
Classification Variables
Follow-up Variables

Data Analysis Plan

5. Description of the Samples

Social and Democratic Background Characteristics
Prior Record Background Characteristics
Characteristics of the Conviction Offense
Diagnostic and Classification Distributions
Summary

6. Construct Validity

Test Procedures
Results of Bivariate Analyses

Situational
Immature Dependent
Neurotic
Manipulative
Committed Criminal
Cognitive Developmental

Results of Factor Analyses
Summary and Discussion

7. Prediction of Disciplinary-Related Prison Outcomes

Summary of the Findings
Penitentiary

The Effects of the Classification Types on Officially Recorded Disciplinary Infractions
The Effects of the Classification Types on Self-Reported Disciplinary Problems
The Effects of the Classification Types on Staff Ratings of Disciplinary Problems

Prison Camp

The Effects of the Classification Types on Officially Recorded Disciplinary Infractions
The Effects of the Classification Types on Self-Reported Disciplinary Problems
The Effects of the Classification Types on Staff Ratings of Disciplinary Problems

Discussion

The Importance of Criterion Measures
Specific Constructs

8. Psychological Correlates of Treatment-Related Outcomes

Summary of Findings
Penitentiary

The Effects of the Classification Types on Interview-Based Measures of Inmates' Needs
The Effects of the Classification Types on Interview-Based Measures of Inmates' Attitudes toward Treatment and Incarceration
The Effects of the Classification Types on Self-Report Indices of Stress and Interaction Patterns
The Effects of the Classification Types on Staff Ratings

Prison Camp

The Effects of the Classification Types on Interview-Based Measures of Inmates' Needs
The Effects of the Classification Types on Interview-Based Measures of Inmates' toward Treatment and Incarceration
The Effects of the Classification Types on Self-Report Indices of Stress and Interaction Patterns
The Effects of the Classification Types on Staff Ratings

Discussion

9. Summary and Discussion of Research Goals

Limitations of the Study

Reliability
Independence of Some Measures
Data Collection Difficulties for Staff Assessment Measures
Limited Number of Subjects

Research Issues

What does the comparison among systems show us about the number of types that are needed to classify these populations in an optimal manner according to psychological criteria?
What types of test assessment procedures are most efficient and most useful in these settings?
Are there important differences between institutional settings that must be considered in using psychological classification systems?

Classification Profiles

Quay Adult Internal Management System (AIMS)
Megargee MMPI-Based Typology
Conceptual Level
Jesness Inventory (I-level)
I-level (Interview Method)

10. Policy and Research Implications

Treatment and Management Implications
Directors for Future Research
Implications for Correctional Research

Appendices

Appendix A. Background Data Collection Form (PSR)
Appendix B. I-level Interview
Appendix C. Follow-up Survey
Appendix D. Items Composing Penitentiary Follow-up Scales
Appendix E. Items Composing Prison Camp Follow-up Scales

Notes

References

Index