Assessing the New Generation of Prison Classification Models

A number of new prison classification models are being promoted throughout the country. These objective models purport to improve equity, reduce costs, and make the classification decision-making process itself more explicit to inmates and staff. This paper uses computer simulations to test the effects of three well known models on the Nevada State Prison population. Results show that adoption of any of the three models would produce similar results; massive expansion of the minimum security beds, increased equity and explicitness in classification decision-making. Whether or not correctional officials utilize these models will depend upon the correctional administrator's willingness to accept these models as designed. Assuming these findings apply to other states, the nation's current inventory of minimum security beds and the capacity of community correctional systems need to be expanded to handle the large number of minimum security inmates now occupying expensive medium and maximum security bed space.