1 - National Criminal Justice Reference Service

Both versions of the MMPI and the Jesness Inventory use T-scores to indicate how a scale
score differs from the mean (average) score on that scale .. On any scale, the mean is a T­
score of 50. The standard deviation is 10 points. Generally, a T-score of 70 or above is
considered elevated since it is two struldard deviations from the mean, and less than 3% of
the population would score in this· range.' (T-scores at or below 30 are also significant since
less than 3% of the population .would score.this IOW'or lower.)·.-With .adolescents.who..wce
the 'MMPI, a slightly lower T-score:is used .. For· them scores 'of65 or above 'are considered
elevated (Archer, 1987).
The Youth Authority Ward Profile, developed for this project, was completed by
Caseworkers at the two clinics and Youth Counselors at Ventura School. This profile
asked for information regarding programs the offenders needed, their language,
.nationality, degree .of substance abuse, and amenability to treatment.
There were 206 offenders who could not be tested. The most common reason was an
inability to speak English (54 offenders). Other offenders refused to participate (39), were
transferred before testing could occur (29), or were only being detained temporarily (20).
A summary of the reasons is given in Appendix A
To determine bed needs, the estimated number of admissions were multiplied ·by the
program length. The resulting number was then divided by 12.
[(NUMBER OF ADMISSIONS TO TIlE PROGRAM) X (PROGRAM LENGTH OF
STAY IN MONTHS)] / 12 (THE NUMBER OF MONTHS IN A YEAR)
The number of admissions to the program was based on the estimated percentage of
offenders needing the program and the projected number of offenders who would be
admitted to the Youth Authori~ during FY 1995·96.
(ESTIN'iA'IED PERCENTAGE OF OFFENDERS NEEDING mE PROGRAM) x
(PROJECIED ADMISSIONS TO mE YOUTH AUTHORITY) = NUMBER OF
ADMISSIONS TO THE PROGRAM.
CalcuJations were based on projected admissions of 5,720 offenders to the Youth Authority
for FY 1995-96. This includes first admissions, recommitments, and parole violators. This
projection was not separated by gender. To estimate the number of female admissions, the
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