NCJ Number
70466
Date Published
1976
Length
188 pages
Annotation
The contribution on moral and ethical variables in the prediction of inmate outcomes is investigated in two studies involving adult prisoner and parolee populations from Illinois.
Abstract
Prisoner subjects were drawn from the Vienna Correctional Facility of Southern Illinois and parolees from the Southern Parole District of Illinois. The first study used change scores on the psychopathic deviate scale of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and the moral-ethical scale of the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale, to improve upon previous prediction efforts using primarily static biographic variables. These test variables were found to be useful when combined with certain biographic information in predicting preparole institutional outcomes through discriminant analysis. These test variables were not as efficient in predicting parole outcomes through analysis of covariance. The second study compared the use of a cognitive-developmental assessment of moral development in differentiating successful parolees (defined as persons who had been out of prison at least 1 year without violation) from inmates still incarcerated. Although significant differences were not found between these two groups, certain aspects of the instrument appeared to be more favorable for parolees than for inmates. The differentiations found in offense type with the moral development instrument were similar to differences previously found using the MMPI. Overall, assessments of change on cognitive variables have potential usefulness in improving upon assessments of various inmate outcomes. Tables, over 100 references, and a questionnaire are included. (Author abstract modified)