An Assessment of the Megargee Typology in Lifelong Criminal Violence

Abstract

The Megargee Typology, an inmate classification system, was examined to determine its effectiveness in predicting institutional adjustment and future recidivism. The MMPI scores of black inmates from the medium-security prison caught up in prison riots were classified into the ten typology groups conceptualized in this procedure. The inmates in the five typologies that are alledgedly reported to be most assaultive and violence prone were compared with those in a nonviolence prone typologies relative to (1) type of offense for which incarcerated, (2) incidences of violence while incarcerated, and (3) recidivism and future violent criminal activity. Chi-square analyses revealed no significant differences between the two sets of typologies in relation to any of the three criteria. Implications of the results and suggestions for future research are discussed.