Reliability of Psychological Test Scores for Offenders Entering a State Prison System

Abstract

This study assessed the test-retest reliability of psychological test scores obtained from felony offenders during the first few weeks of incarceration in a state prison. The tests administered were the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, the Suicide Probability Scale, the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory, the Monroe Dyscontrol Scale, and the Brief Veteran's Alcohol Screening Test. Forty-four male offenders were tested on entry into a Washington state corrections system, and again from 1 to 3 weeks later. Results showed positive, significant correlations for all subscale scores of all tests with the exception of the Negative Self Evaluation score from the Suicide Probability Scale. These results suggest that the test scores of incoming state prisoners are stable, at least during the first month of incarceration. Concerns about the unreliability of test scores obtained during initial intake procedures into a prison system do not appear to be well founded.

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