The methods were compared with respect to the extent to which they account for predictor variable intercorrelations, linearity and/or additivity of relations, and tendency to overfit construction-sample data with concomitant shrinkage on validation. Data used for the comparisons were for 4,500 persons released from Federal prison in the years 1970-72. Given the types and level of sophistication of available data and outcome criteria, no one method for developing operationally useful statistical decisionmaking aids appears to provide a statistical advantage over any other. Thus, those techniques which are simpler and more easily understood and implemented may work as well as more complex techniques. Prediction devices constructed using the various techniques are highly intercorrelated. Finally, those variables that are most vulnerable to legal and ethical attack (e.g. social history variables) may actually add little to the statistical efficiency of recidivism prediction devices. Tabular data and 33 references are provided.