Inmate Classification

Abstract

This evaluation of an objective inmate classification system indicates that the inmate's classifi cation score is a (weak) measure of the inmate's risk of misbehavior. Introduction of the classification system in California's prisons for men in 1980 produced a closer tie between inmate risk level and institutional placement. Institutional security level seems to affect prisoner misconduct. Introduction of the system apparently reduced the rate of increase in the incidence of serious prisoner misconduct. Departmental experience was used to revise the classification scale to reduce "overclassification " (false positives). The authors urge conduct of experimental studies with random assignments to determine the predictive validity of the items used in the classification scale and to strengthen the conclusion that institutional level has an effect on prisoner misconduct. The authors recommend empirical investigations of alternative classifica tion policies which would consider system costs in relation to differentially weighted errors of prediction and multidimensional criteria.