Rating of Corrections Performance Measures

• NCJ Number: 88415
• Author(s): A G Jones
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 126 pages
• Grant Number(s): 78-NI-AX-0130
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ); US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: Osprey Co
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Working Paper 80-5

Annotation

The process of rating performance measures for correctional programs and facilities contains many inherent problems and difficulties.

Abstract

Ratings can consider performance measures according to their validity, reliability, accuracy, comparability, sensitivity, and clarity. Overall rating scores are not good indicators of the quality of a measure. In addition, the rating of a particular measure according to the criteria is basically a subjective process. Moreover, the rating process can be time-consuming. However, variations in the rating process may increase the usefulness and the productivity of the end results. Possible variations are assigning variable weights to the separate criteria used or shifting to a more openended approach by using only one criterion, importance. This latter method would require a written justification for each measure categorized as important. The ratings process needs additional testing and refinement to develop methods most suitable for specific performance measurement problems. Detailed appendixes present diagrams and rated measures for four correctional areas: prisons, probation and parole, jails, and halfway houses. Five references are listed.