The Cornell Index as a predictor of institutional adjustment in a maximum security reformatory

Abstract

The problem is one of using the Cornell Index justifiably and to its maximum effectiveness in an institution, such as the Indiana Reformatory. This research is directed to one area of this large problem; that of finding if there is a relationship between the Cornell Index Score and institutional adjustment.On March 17, 1970, the staff psychologist began using the Cornell Index (CI), Form N2, at the Indiana State Reformatory, Pendleton, Indiana. Since that date, approximately fifteen hundred (1500) individuals (inmates) have taken the CI and four hundred (400) of these individuals have indicated maladjustment, by use of a cutoff score of twenty-three (23). All of the CI's were administered to these individuals within the first two (2) weeks of their incarceration. All of the questionnaires are on file and available for this research. Also, summary packets on each individual's institutional history are available for this research.The staff psychologist's purpose for giving the CI is one of screening out "maladjusted" individuals so that they may be referred to counselling psychologists for further evaluation as an aid to their institutional adjustment. Therefore, this purpose is making the assumption that the "maladjusted" individuals, as defined by the CI, will be more inclined to have adjustment problems that those defined by the CI as being "adjusted." The primary concern of the Indiana Reformatory Staff is one of predicting institutional adjustment. Their primary assumption appears to be that this adjustment will carry over after the individual is released from the institution. It is not the purpose of this research to support or reject this assumption, however the material from the individual's summary packet will be used in defining institutional adjustment.The problem is that the CI has never been normed or studied on a maximum security reformatory or prison population. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to find if there is a significant relationship between the CI results and institutional adjustment, (IA results). If a significant relationship is found the staff psychologists may wish to continue the use of the CI as a predictive aid and manipulate the cutoff score accordingly. If little or no relationship is found the staff psychologists may wish to discontinue the use of the CI, manipulate the cutoff score accordingly, or redefine the purpose of using the instrument. The research may also have implications in other correctional institutions where it is being utilized, such as the District of Columbia Department of Corrections, Washington, D.C. However, the most important implication will be that of raising further questions and interest which may be subjected to continued research.