Revalidating External Prison Classification Systems - The Experience of Ten States and Model for Classification Reform

Sep 7, 2026

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Revalidating External Prison Classification Systems presents the experience of ten U.S. states and outlines a model for classification reform supported by the National Institute of Corrections. The report documents how state and local correctional objective classification and information systems were reviewed, tested, implemented, and monitored. It describes the NIC’s goals and objectives, the external classification initiatives across participating states, and a step-by-step methodology, including revalidation, readiness assessment, task force formation, and reporting for sustained improvements.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages146

Reading Time6 h 8 min

AccessFree to download

Acknowledgments

Executive Summary

Chapter 1. Introduction

Chapter 2. NIC Classification Goals and Objectives

Chapter 3. Description of the Ten States’ External Classification Initiatives

Virginia Department of Corrections

Montana Department of Corrections

Oregon Department of Corrections

Oklahoma Department of Corrections

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Wyoming Department of Corrections

Wisconsin Department of Corrections

Delaware Department of Correction

Rhode Island Department of Corrections

Tennessee Department of Correction

Chapter 4. Recommended Methodology for Testing, Implementing, and Monitoring Classification Reforms

Chapter 5. Common Issues, Problems and Solutions, and Next Steps

Appendixes

Notes

References

Suggested Readings

U.S. Department of Justice National Institute of Corrections The Experience of Ten States and Model for Classification Reform U.S. Department of Justice National Institute of Corrections 320 First Street N.W. Washington, DC 20534 Morris L. Thigpen, Director Larry Solomon, Deputy Director Susan M. Hunter, Chief, Prisons Division Sammie D. Brown, Project Manager National Institute of Corrections World Wide Web Site [http://www.nicic.org](http://www.nicic.org) Revalidating External Prison Classification Systems: The Experience of Ten States and Model for Classification Reform By Patricia L. Hardyman, Ph.D. James Austin, Ph.D. Owan C. Tulloch, M.C.P. The Institute on Crime, Justice and Corrections at The George Washington University This report was funded by the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) under cooperative agreement \#97P09GIF7 and \#98P09GII2 with the National Council on Crime and Delinquency and subcontracted to The George Washington University and cooperative agreement \#99P04GIJ7 between NIC and The George Washington University. Points of view or opinions stated in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice or the National Council on Crime and Delinquency. Acknowledgments The Institute on Crime, Justice and Corrections would like to sincerely acknowledge the National Institute of Corrections for its continuing commitment to the development and improvement of state and local correctional objective classification and information systems. In particular, we want to acknowledge and thank our program manager, Sammie D. Brown, for her guidance, expertise, involvement, and patience with our efforts. This initiative would not have been realized without the dedication and endless hours of hard work expended by the revalidation task forces from each of the 10 states. It was their dedication, determination, and diligence that ensured the successful completion of this project. Thank you. Special recognition is due to the project leaders: Elizabeth Neal (Delaware), Candyce Neubauer (Montana), Dan Reynolds and Randy Parker (Oklahoma), Brian Bemus (Oregon), Jennifer Toupin (Rhode Island), Howard Cook and Theresa Schweizer (Tennessee), Gary Johnson (Texas), Sharon Sutton (Virginia), Pam Brandon (Wisconsin), and Robert Ortega (Wyoming) . iii Contents Acknowledgments ..............................................................................................iii Executive Summary ...........................................................................................ix Chapter 1. Introduction ...................................................................................... 1 Chapter 2. NIC Classification Goals and Objectives.......................................5 Chapter 3. Description of the Ten States’ External Classification Initiatives ......................................................................................7 Virginia Department of Corrections ...........................................................7 Montana Department of Corrections ........................................................ 9 Oregon Department of Corrections .......................................................... 12 Oklahoma Department of Corrections ..................................................... 14 Texas Department of Criminal Justice ..................................................... 17 Wyoming Department of Corrections ......................................................20 Wisconsin Department of Corrections .....................................................29 Delaware Department of Correction ........................................................32 Rhode Island Department of Corrections.................................................34 Tennessee Department of Correction .......................................................38 Chapter 4.

FAQs

What is the main purpose of the report?

The report revalidates external prison classification systems and presents a model for classification reform based on the experience of ten states.

Which elements of the reform process are covered in the methodology?

The methodology includes readiness and commitment assessment, establishing a classification task force, assessing the current system, revalidating the classification system, planning implementation, and preparing a detailed report documenting changes.

How are the ten states’ external classification initiatives organized in the document?

They are described in a dedicated chapter, with separate subsections for each participating state’s department of corrections.

Sep 7, 2026

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