Offenders' Characteristics versus Decision-Makers' Attitudes as Determinants of the Outcome of Presentence Evaluations

Abstract
Presentence cases at a state prison diagnostic unit were studied on selected variables. Inmates receiving state-level sentencing recommendations from psychiatrists and psychologists committed offenses of higher severity, coupled with a higher estimated probability of recidivism, than inmates receiving recommendations for county-level case dispositions. Also, although the group-recommendation rates of psychiatrists and psychologists versus those of correctional counselors were similar, substantial variability was seen among individual decision-makers. This variability could not be accounted for on the basis of offenders' characteristics and was attributed to differences among decision-makers in attitudes toward sentencing. The need for uniformity among personnel making recommendations and decisions regarding prison release was discussed, along with possible methods of achieving goal.

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