PREDICTION OF RECIDIVISM AMONG YOUNG ADULT OFFENDERS BY THE RECIDIVISM-REHABILITATION SCALE AND INDEX

• NCJ Number: 12890
• Author(s): C H FRANK
• Date Published: 1970
• Length: 76 pages
• Sale Source: UMI Dissertation Services
• Publication Type: Thesis/Dissertation
• Note: DISSERTATION - UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA

Annotation

STUDY TESTING THE BEHAVIOR PREDICTIVE POWERS OF THE RECIDIVISM-REHABILITATION SCALE AND ACTUARIAL INDEX AND TO REFINE THEIR THEORETICAL BASIS.

Abstract

A NEED FOR ACCURATE PREDICTION METHODS WAS THOUGHT TO BE IMPLIED BY THE WIDESPREAD USE OF PAROLE IN THE UNITED STATES. IN A REVIEW OF CURRENT METHODS AND SOURCES THE AUTHOR POINTS OUT A LACK OF PSYCHOMETRIC INSTRUMENTS ADEQUATE TO THE DEMAND OF CORRECTIONAL SYSTEMS. THE RECIDIVISM REHABILITATION SCALE AND ACTUARIAL INDEX, USED IN THIS STUDY TO PREDICT PAROLE SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF 180 YOUNG ADULT FELONS RELEASED FROM THE EL RENO, OKLAHOMA, FEDERAL REFORMATORY, WERE DERIVED FROM A 'POST-HOC' CORRELATION BETWEEN MMPI (MINNESOTA MULTIPHASIC PERSONALITY INVENTORY) SCALES AND POST-RELEASE BEHAVIOR OF INMATES FROM A STATE REFORMATORY POPULATION. THIS REPORT EXAMINES IN DETAIL THE TEST RESULTS WHICH SHOWED THE RECIDIVISM-REHABILITATION SCALE TO BE THE 'SINGLE MOST EFFICIENT PREDICTOR OF RECIDIVISM AMONG YOUNG ADULT OFFENDERS.' OTHER MATERIAL IS INCLUDED TO ILLUSTRATE HOW THE SCALE MAY BE INTERPRETED AND INTEGRATED INTO EXISTING CONCEPTIONS OF DEVIANT BEHAVIOR AND A SYSTEMATIC TREATMENT OF THE RECIDIVIST. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)