Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
Previously juveniles as young as 14 guilty of murder were eligible to be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. However, the decision of Miller v. Alabama (2012) declared mandatory life without the possibility of parole (LWOP) unconstitutional. Juveniles sentenced to LWOP were now able to be either resentenced or eligible for possible parole. The current study examined which scales on the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) predict parole outcomes for adult men seeking parole who committed murder when they were juveniles and sentenced to LWOP. The PAI is a 344-item self-report assessment comprised of validity, clinical, interpersonal and treatment scales. Parole candidates are either granted parole or are given a review date between one and five years. It was predicted that individuals denied parole or given longer review dates will score higher on the Antisocial, Aggression, and Violence Potential Index (VPI) scales of the PAI, have a higher number of disciplinary reports, and have lower participation in rehabilitation programs than individuals granted parole or granted lower review dates. Contrary to our predictions, the Aggression, Antisocial Scales, and Violence Potential Index on the PAI did not contribute to the prediction of parole decisions. However, there are many possible future directions pointed to by this research. Limitations of this study are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Rice, Karlie, "Personality Assessment Inventory Predictors of Parole for Adults who Committed Murder as Juveniles" (2022). Psychology Theses. 26.
https://docs.rwu.edu/psych_thesis/26
Comments
Thesis Committee Chair: Dr. Frank DiCataldo