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DECISION-MAKING IN A CORRECTIONAL BUREAUCRACY

NCJ Number
18926
Author(s)
R F KINGSNORTH
Date Published
1969
Length
153 pages
Annotation
PRESENTS DATA ANALYZING PAROLE AGENT DECISIONS REGARDING WHETHER OR NOT TO DISCHARGE THE PAROLEE FROM PAROLE.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR IS CONCERNED WITH WHETHER VARIATIONS IN CASE DECISIONS ARE CORRELATED WITH VARIATIONS IN TYPES OF CASES. THE DATA SOURCE USED WAS PAROLE AGENT REPORTS WHICH SUMMARIZED CASE HISTORIES AND INCLUDED CASE RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH WERE THEN PROCESSED THROUGH THE ADMINISTRATIVE HIERARCHY TO THE CALIFORNIA ADULT AUTHORITY FOR FINAL DECISIONS AS TO WHETHER THE PAROLEE SHOULD BE DISCHARGED OR CONTINUED ON PAROLE. THE RESULTS SHOW THAT DISTRICTS VARY IN THE PERCENTAGE OF CASES RECOMMENDED FOR DISCHARGE FROM PAROLE AND THAT AGENTS VARY IN THE TYPE OF INFORMATION THEY CHOOSE TO INCLUDE IN THEIR REPORTS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)