Validity of the MMPI Prison Maladjustment Scale in Identifying Disciplinary Transfers among Federally Incarcerated Male Offenders

The ability of the Prison Maladjustment scale of the MMPI to differentiate between disciplinary transfer and nontransfer minimum security federal prisoners was investigated. There was no difference between the scores of the two groups on the scale (Ms = 25.8 and 23.2, respectively) or on comparisons of other correctional data, age, and ethnic background. It appears that the scale alone or in combination with other data will be a poor predictor of transfer. Also, the rate of transfer was so low as to make accurate prediction from any criteria extremely unlikely.