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Reliability in Guideline Application - Initial Hearings, 1982

NCJ Number
99055
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 49 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1985) Pages: 33-41
Author(s)
J L Beck; P B Hoffman
Date Published
1985
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This research examined the extent to which the parole guideline determinations of the Federal Parole Commission could be independently replicated by research staff.
Abstract
A stratified random sample of initial parole hearings conducted during August and September 1982 was examined (20 cases from each of the five Parole Commission regions). The commission file for each case was obtained, and the section of the file containing the hearing panel summary and commission action was sealed to prevent the researcher scoring the case from seeing the hearing panel's scoring. Each case was then scored independently by two researchers. Severity rating, salient factor score items, salient factor score category, guideline type, and guideline range were recorded. Differences between the researchers were resolved and the research panel's judgement recorded. Substantive agreement on the guideline range between hearing examiner and research panels was found in 86 percent of the cases. In the remaining 14 percent of the cases there was disagreement on the guideline range due to guideline ambiguity, inadequate file information, or hearing panel error. The commission is taking several steps to enhance reliability in guideline application. The appendixes display the guidelines matrix currently used by the commission, the salient factor score, and an excerpt from the offense severity scale. Tabular data and eight references are provided.