Evaluating How Well Your Classification System is Operating: A Practical Approach

Abstract

With the wide adoption by many states of objective prison classification systems, there has been an associated expectation among prison officials that these new systems would foster improved prison operations and reductions in prison violence. However, this has not always been the case. Failure to realize these expectations can be more accurately traced to improperly designed or implemented classification systems rather than the validity of these systems as originally designed. This article applies the lessons of one state (California) to propose a methodology for evaluating how well designed a particular model is and if implementation is occurring as intended. Referred to as “process evaluation,” this approach is intended to assist prison officials to “fine tune” their classification systems and establish a method for accurately monitoring the most critical aspects of prison operations.