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Process of Classification in Prisons: A Descriptive Study of Staff Use of the System

NCJ Number
125713
Journal
Journal of Crime and Justice Volume: 13 Issue: 1 Dated: (1990) Pages: 1-26
Author(s)
D L MacKenzie; R A Buchanan
Date Published
1990
Length
26 pages
Annotation
The process of classification is examined in a southern U.S. prison system.
Abstract
Staff directly involved in classification activities in the seven prisons for males, one prison for females, and the diagnostic center reported on their classification activities. Factors thought by staff to be important in classifying an offender, use of the diagnostic classification summary, and staff knowledge of the capabilities of other institutions in the system were examined. Staff perceptions of the importance and accuracy of different sources of information and the discrepancy between the two at initial classification and reclassification were used to develop hypotheses regarding possible changes to facilitate the classification system. 4 notes, 5 tables, 1 appendix, 21 references. (Author abstract)