Testing the Importation Model Among Incarcerated Young Adults: Do Risk Assessment Tools Predict Prison Misconduct?

Prison misconduct refers to any breach of rules and regulations established within correctional institutions to ensure order and safety for both inmates and staff. According to the importation model, younger adults may possess unique developmental characteristics that increase their likelihood of engaging in such behaviors. This study examines prison misconduct among young adults aged 18 to 23, assessing the predictive validity of two risk assessment tools—the OASys and the START:AV. Findings suggest that developmentally tailored risk assessment instruments, like the START:AV, outperform others in predicting various types of prison misconduct among young offenders over a 3-month follow-up period.