NCJ Number
76179
Date Published
1980
Length
171 pages
Annotation
Methodology and findings are reported from a project designed to develop empirically objective criteria for Kentucky Parole Board decisionmaking.
Abstract
Because of this study of 2,354 releases from Kentucky correctional institutions from January 1, 1974, through December 31, 1976, it is believed that potential parolees who present less risk to the community in terms of violent or property felony recidivism can be identified. As a result of the procedures developed in the study, researchers were able to identify large groups of releasees whose recidivism rates were from 13.1 percent to 37.2 percent less than the general offender population for that specific type of recidivism. These procedures were developed using a subset of 1,171 cases in the sample; they were validated on a second subset of 1,183. The development of the procedures involved the analysis of 174 inmate characteristics in terms of their ability to discriminate between recidivists and nonrecidivists on the basis of variations in each characteristic. Each characteristic or combination of characteristics was subjected to a series of statistical analyses to detect interaction and illuminate significant relationships with recidivism. Following a detailed discussion of the findings, the suggested procedure for using the predictor factors is considered. The sequence of procedures followed in the study is discussed, and there is an indepth consideration of the research findings and data analyses. The project administration is reviewed, including a budget report, followed by a literature review. Attachments are a risk review form, the codebook, crosstabulation tables, a record interviewer package, and mean risk ratings. Tabular data and a bibliography are provided.