Selected offender classification practices, past and present, are reviewed. Megargee's requirements for a "good" classification system are amplified, and a critique of several current approaches is provided. The role of classification deficiencies in prison conditions litigation is summarized. Guidelines from commissions, courts, scholars, and…

Various treatment programs for sexual aggressives operate from a set of assumptions, called blame models. Each blame model hypothesizes why sexual assault occurs. The authors review four such blame models, including the offender blame model, the victim model, the situational model, and a societal model. (Author)

The Megargee and Dorhout classificatory rules were applied to 181 MMPI profiles from inmates at a Level 4 Federal Correctional Institution. Fifty of these inmates were retested and reclassified. Only 14 of these 50 inmates retained their original type designation upon retesting. (Author)

Investigates the validity of three assumptions about self-esteem, sex-role identity, and feminism in female offenders in a study of women awaiting trial in Massachusetts. Results did not support assumptions regarding low self-esteem and increased masculinity in female offenders. Speculations were made about the role femininity plays in…

The effects of an experimental program of differential classification and treatment were studied by comparing releasees from two Federal Correctional Institutions. Releasees from the experimental institution had more paroles, fewer mandatory releases or expirations of sentences, and more escapes or transfers than the comparison institution.…

Establishes distinct patterns of characteristics differentiating nonsexually violent, sexually violent, and sexually nonviolent offenders. The data add to the evidence of a link between violence and alcohol. The defendants' high rate of suicide attempts is a manifestation of a general pattern of aggressive acting out. (Author/CS)

A study designed to provide some preliminary information on the feasibility of a brief, community-based evaluation as an alternative to a more lengthy, institutionally based evaluation to determine a defendant's competency to proceed with trial is described. (Author)

In an effort to evaluate the effectiveness of the furlough program as a correctional device, an analysis of rates of recidivism for individuals released from Massachusetts' state correctional institutions in the years 1973 and 1974 was conducted. Analysis of the data indicates that the participation in the Home Furlough Program led to a…

The development of new evaluation treatment methods for rapists and child molesters has created unique legal and ethical problems for therapists and researchers dealing with this population. Explores the issues of confidentiality, privileged communication, and informed consent to acquaint the reader with the potential problems. (Author)

Differences on the MMPI for elopers and non-elopers from a mentally ill offender population were analyzed and a sign approach was developed. Implications of MMPI differences for the psychological status of elopers are described. (Author)

Among a relatively large sample of male, young adult prison inmates, four different therapy analogues, along with placebo and untreated controls, were compared as to their effects in reducing stress induced autonomic reactions. The only effective "treatment" proved to be one involving self-concept/self-esteem enhancement. (Author)

To assess the efficacy of an interpersonal skill training program, adult offenders were randomly assigned to either interpersonal effectiveness training or waiting-list control. Results indicated interpersonal effectiveness training group superiority on Interpersonal Behavior Role-Play Test training and generalization assessment items. Findings…

Compares, within the context of parole decision making, the predictive utility of five statistical methods commonly used to develop correctional risk-screening devices. Results suggest that no apparent empirical advantage accrues to any particular model. Further, most devices developed are highly intercorrelated. (Author)

Outlines the current means of assessing various social skills and applying skills training treatments to sexual aggressives. A major finding was that treatment in one skills area does not generalize into other skills areas; that is, each skills deficit must be resolved by individual treatment. (Author)

Effects of the Transcendental Meditation program in a maximum security prison were studied via cross-validation design. Meditation and control groups indicated reduction in anxiety, neuroticism, hostility, and insomnia as a function of the treatment. (Author)