Study of the Reception and Diagnostic Process of the Massachusetts Department of Correction

• NCJ Number: 81990
• Author(s): A S Bashevkin; T Battin; F J Bobroff; J Burruss; R Cooney; R Engel; C Maroni; J Richard; K Stern; B Tonkon
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 132 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Boston University - masters thesis

Annotation

This report evaluates the Massachusetts Department of Correction's (DOC's) reception and diagnostic process, based on a study of 1,199 men sentenced to the Walpole or Concord institutions during 1976.

Abstract

Most of the 1,199 men sentenced directly to the DOC went through a formal classification process at the Reception and Diagnostic Center (RDC) or the Northeast Reception and Diagnostic Center (NRDC). The RDC was effective in diverting men from maximum security, but the NRDC was less. There was a fairly substantial degree of movement through the correctional system in 6 months after the initial placement. Walpole commitments who were not initially classified were likely to have more serious criminal histories than those who were initially classified. Concord commitments who were not initially classified were likely to have shorter sentences and to be older than those who were initially classified at the NRDC. There was a significant relationship between background variables (i.e., more serious criminal histories) and the security level of the initial placement (i.e., maximum security). In general, both RDC and NRDC do an effective job of screening and placing men in minimum-security facilities, since the overall success rate is 87 percent. DOC should thus consider assigning more men to minimum-security facilities. Significant differences on success rates were found on several variables: age (Younger men had higher success rates.), type of sentence (Those with indeterminate sentences had higher success rates.), and facility of initial classification (Those initially classified at the NRDC had higher success rates.). The RDC and NRDC could increase the number of younger men placed in minimum-security facilities, and the RDC could increase the number of blacks placed in minimum security. Further research is required. Tabular data, the study instrument, security level classifications, and about 30 references are appended. (Author abstract modified)