Research that predicts parole success on the basis of unchangeable features, such as gender, race, and prior record, in a prisoner's past can be called 'destiny studies.' The PAS was designed to provide the kinds of information such destiny studies fail to give, data realating to current behavior that could influence an outcome of change, PAS was designed as a system of continuous data collection on in-house behaviors of prisoners. This data was collected by a wide range of of prison staff (guards, teachers, etc.) who were trained to use the simple, anchored rating scales. Two general kinds of scales were developed: 'treatment participation scales' and 'behavior scales,' with an additional 'group therapy participation scale.' The California Department of Corrections parole outcome data was used to measure success 1 year after going on parole. It was found that the more actively prisoners participated in group therapy, the better they did on parole. The data also indicated that some changes took place in the behavior of some of the prisoners in group therapy, and these changes were associated with more active participation in group therapy and more success on parole. Another study indicated that violent behavior could be detected on the scales measuring demanding behavior and politeness 1 week before the violent group inmates committed a violent act. On the basis of these findings, it is expected that a parole readiness index will be able to be calculated that will constitute a data-based prediction of a particular prisoner's likelihood of succeeding on parole at any given date. 1 footnote and 6 references.