Correctional intake evaluations focus on determining inmates' mental status and classification, assessing them for psychopathology and psychological distress to determine treatment and special placement needs. The MMPI has well-researched validity scales, designed to detect intentionally and unintentionally distorted self-presentation. Most of the 78 correctional inmates surveyed had a realistic, although somewhat vague, view of the purpose and use of MMPI-2 as part of a correctional intake evaluation; a substantial percentage of the inmates admitted intentionally distorting their self-presentation. Findings indicate that distortion is a challenge to the correctional assessment process and underscore the need for further research on the MMPI/MMPI-2 validity scales in the correctional setting. References