Parolee Inventory (PI)
The Parolee Inventory (PI) is an evidence based assessment instrument or test. The Parolee Inventory (PI) consists of 135 true/false and multiple choice questions and takes 25 to 30 minutes to complete. PI reports are scored with 4 page reports printed within 3 minutes of data (answers) input. The Parolee Inventory (PI) contains 8 scales (domains).
8 Parolee Inventory Scales (Domains)
The Parolee Inventory (PI) is designed for use in parole departments. More specifically, it is a parolee risk assessment or screening instrument or test. A brief explanation of each PI scale (domain) follows.
- Truthfulness Scale: Measures how truthful the parolee was while completing the test. It identifies denial, minimization and faking. This scale identifies "faking good".
- Violence Scale: Measures threats and the use of force to injure, damage or destroy. This scale identifies offenders that are a danger to themselves and others.
- Antisocial Scale: Measures antisocial attitudes and behavior. It identifies offenders opposed to society that are aggressive, irresponsible and destructive.
- Self-Esteem Scale: Measures a parolee's explicit valuing and appraisal of self. Self-Esteem incorporates an attitude of acceptance-approval versus rejection-disapproval.
- Distress Scale: Measures pain (physical and mental), agony and anguish. It assesses pain, worry, sorrow, discomfort and distress. This definition incorporates parolee's anxiety, depression and pain.
- Alcohol Scale: Measures alcohol abuse and severity of abuse. Alcohol refers to beer, wine and other liquor. This scale measures the severity of alcohol use and abuse while identifying alcohol-related problems.
- Drugs Scale: Measures the severity of drug use and abuse, while identifying drug-related problems. The term 'drugs' incorporates both prescription and non-prescription drugs.
- Stress Coping Abilities Scale: Measures the parolee's ability to cope effectively with stress and pressure. This is a non-introversive way to screen for the presence of diagnosable mental health problems.
If you are selecting a parolee assessment instrument, the following Comparison Matrix should prove helpful. This checklist summarizes important assessment and screening qualities that are present in the Parolee Inventory (PI). More information can be provided upon request.
Comparison Category |
PI |
OTHER |
|---|---|---|
Reliability & Validity Research |
Yes |
|
Designed for Parolee Evaluation |
Yes |
|
Test Completed in 25 Minutes |
Yes |
|
On-Site Reports within 3 Minutes |
Yes |
|
Truthfulness Scale Detects Faking |
Yes |
|
Truth-Corrected Scores for Accuracy |
Yes |
|
Three Test Administrative Options |
Yes |
|
1. Paper-Pencil |
Yes |
|
2. On Computer Screen |
Yes |
|
3. Over the internet |
Yes |
|
Available in English and Spanish |
Yes |
|
HIPAA Compliant |
Yes |
|
Built-in Database |
Yes |
|
Annual Database Research |
Yes |
|
Violence Scale |
Yes |
|
Truthfulness Scale |
Yes |
|
Antisocial Scale |
Yes |
|
Self-Esteem Scale |
Yes |
|
Distress Scale |
Yes |
|
Alcohol Scale |
Yes |
|
Drugs Scale |
Yes |
|
Stress Coping Scale |
Yes |
|
Expanding Research |
Yes |
|
Windows (diskettes or USB flash drives) |
Yes |
|
Easily Understood Reports |
Yes |
|
ASAM Compatible |
Yes |
|
Staff Training |
Yes |
|
Affordable (9.95/test) |
Yes |
|
Support services |
Yes |
|
Email Address |
Yes |
This completes the comparison checklist
Truthfulness Scale
Self-report tests and interviews are subject to the danger of respondents not telling the truth. An important advance in testing is the Truthfulness Scale, which measures how honest the parolee is while completing the test. It would be naive to believe that all people taking tests always answer questions truthfully. The PI Truthfulness Scale identifies self-protective and guarded parolees who attempt to deny, minimize or even conceal information. The PI Truthfulness Scale can also detect functionally illiterate and visually impaired individuals. This feature is of special importance in court environment and parole settings, since the outcome of a person's test results could affect their level of supervision, nature of intervention and life situation. The Truthfulness Scale identifies attempts to fake or under report problems and concerns.
Validity
Definition: Within the context of assessment, validity is a general term for accuracy of measurement. Valid test results are essentially free from error. They are accurate. In contrast, invalidity refers to distortion of test results due to errors in measurement. Invalidity may be due to guardedness, denial, faking, reading things into questions, emotional instability, reading impairments, etc. An invalid test means that client-provided test results are distorted and not accurate. A Parolee Inventory is invalid when the Truthfulness Scale score is at or above the 90th percentile.
When handed a Parolee Inventory report, staff should check the Truthfulness Scale score. If the Truthfulness Scale score is below the 70th percentile-test results are valid and accurate. Truthfulness Scale scores between the 70th and 89th percentile are likely valid, but should be interpreted cautiously. Truthfulness Scale scores above the 90th percentile are usually invalid.