Predicting Offenders' Institutional Misconduct and Recidivism: The Utility of Behavioral Ratings by Prison Officers

Abstract

Measures of current behavior are rarely incorporated into risk assessment. Therefore, the current study used a behavior rating scale to assess prison officers' observations of inmates prison behavior and examined the contribution of these ratings for risk assessment. Prison officers rated 272 sexual and violent offenders in three different correctional treatment facilities in Berlin, Germany. Factor analysis revealed three psychologically meaningful factors measuring externalizing, internalizing and adaptive prison behavior. The construct validity of the three factors was established through correlational analyses with standardized risk assessment instruments. Externalizing and internalizing behaviors were significant predictors of violent recidivism after release. In addition, externalizing was a significant predictor of institutional misconduct, whereas adaptive and internalizing behavior predicted whether an inmate was granted privileges (e.g., minimum-security confinement). Logistic regression analyses indicated that externalizing behavior ratings added incrementally to the Level of Service Inventory-Revised for the prediction of institutional misconduct and violent recidivism. The results indicate that prison officers observe important prison behaviors and that behavioral ratings can improve risk assessment.

A Person-Centered Approach to Prison Behavior Based on Officers’ Observations: Relations to Risk, Prison Misconduct, and Recidivism

“…With reference to the principles of effective offender treatment (51), we intended to include behavioral characteristics that may be indicative of criminogenic needs (e.g., impulsivity), noncriminogenic minor needs (e.g., depression), and strengths (e.g., dependability). Factor analysis revealed an underlying three-factor solution of the SWAP-RS (46), which largely resembles the structure of hierarchical models of psychopathology [e.g., (52)]. Externalizing Prison Behavior (EPB) includes mostly disruptive behaviors directed towards the environment (e.g., hostility, impulsivity).…”

“…In a similar line of research, Hausam et al (45,46) introduced the SWAP-Rating Scale (SWAP-RS) including 40 partly reformulated items of the Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure-200 [(47); German version: (48)]. The SWAP-200 is an observer-rating tool designed to assess, quantify, and compare clinical observations.…”

“…The present study is based on an extended sample of the initial validation study (46). The current sample consisted of N = 277 male juvenile and adult inmates in correctional treatment from Berlin (Germany).…”

“…Prison behavior was measured using the SWAP-Rating Scale [SWAP-RS; (46)], a 40-item behavior rating scale with three subscales designed for administration by nonpsychological staff, e.g. prison officers.…”

“…Of the original 200 statements, the SWAP-RS includes 40 partly reformulated items to assess relevant inmate characteristics and behaviors in prison. Initial item selection process was guided by empirical [i.e., factor loadings; (53)] and conceptual considerations [e.g., appropriateness for prison context; see (46) for item list]. A 5-point Likert type response format corresponds to the frequency of observed behavior (from "never" to "very frequently observed"; scored 0 to 4).…”