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Date: April 30, 2024 Tue
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Results for correctional programs
177 results foundAuthor: McDougall, Cynthia Title: Evaluation of HM Prison Service Enhanced Thinking Skills Programme: Report on the Outcomes from a Randomised Controlled Trial Summary: The Enhanced Thinking Skills (ETS) program was designed to change thinking and attitudes associated with offending. This report presents the findings from a randomized controlled trial with a sample of 408 offenders carried out in ten United Kingdom prisons to evaluate the ETS program. The evaluation found a statistically significant reduction in self-report of impulsivity as measured by the Eysenek Impulsivity Scale in offenders who had completed the ETS program when compared with a waiting list control group who had not started the program. In addition to improvement in impulsivity, incidence of prison security reports, general attitudes to offending and locus of control were statistically significantly improved following ETS. Details: London: Ministry of Justice, 2009 Source: Ministry of Justice Research Series 3/09 Year: 2009 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 115660 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsOffenders |
Author: Perry, Virginia Title: Evaluation of the Mothering at a Distance Program Summary: The Mothering at a Distance (MAAD) Program is a 10-session parenting program, which has been conducted at a number of New South Wales Department of Corrective Services correctional centers for female inmates. The aims of this study is to assess the development, implementation, effectiveness, and sustainability of the MAAD program. Details: Sydney: New South Wales, Department of Corrective Services, 2009. 100p. Source: http://www.correctiveservices.justice.nsw.gov.au/Documents/Evaluation-of-the-Mothering-at-a-Distance_Program.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Australia URL: http://www.correctiveservices.justice.nsw.gov.au/Documents/Evaluation-of-the-Mothering-at-a-Distance_Program.pdf Shelf Number: 116651 Keywords: Children of PrisonersCorrectional ProgramsFamilies of InmatesFemale OffendersMothering |
Author: Cox, Alexandra Title: Beats & Bars: Music in Prisons: An Evaluation Summary: This report is an evaluation of a series of five-day music projects which took place in eight men's prisons across England from October 2007 to July 2008. The evaluation was aimed at understanding the impact of the project on its participants' engagement with purposeful activities while in prison, in particular the impact of the project on their engagement with the Learning and Skills department, as well as their behavior and general well-being in prison. Seventy-one men participated in this evaluation. Details: London: Irene Taylor Trust, 2008. Source: Internet Resource: accessed March 22, 2019 at: https://irenetaylortrust.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/beatsandbars.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://irenetaylortrust.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/beatsandbars.pdf Shelf Number: 115359 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsMusical ProgramsOffender Rehabilitation |
Author: Klein, Steven Title: Correctional Education: Assessing the Status of Prison Programs and Information Needs Summary: Drawing on existing federal data sources, this report presents indicators on the scale and effectiveness of correctional education programs offered in federal and state prisons. Documenting trends in inmate access to instructional programs, the characteristics of participants and the outcomes of program participants, each indicator is intended to provide readers with an understanding of the status of correctional education programs today and the context in which they are evolving. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, 2004. 31p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2004 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 119116 Keywords: Correctional EducationCorrectional ProgramsInmates |
Author: Lichtenberger, Eric Title: Utilizing Post-Release Outcome Information To Measure the Effectiveness of Correctional Education Programs Summary: This paper provides correctional education administrators and research analysts with strategies for effectively collecting post-release outcome data and putting it to use both internally and externally. The paper highlights the approaches used by select states, as well as their outside evaluators and researchers, to measure the extent to which the programs meet post-release program goals and objectives. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, 2008. 36p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 119117 Keywords: Correctional EducationCorrectional ProgramsRecidivism |
Author: Bazos, Audrey Title: Correctional Education as a Crime Control Program Summary: This study compares the cost-effectiveness of two crime control methods - educating prisoners and expanding prisons. One million dollars spent on correctional education prevents about 600 crimes, while that same money invested in incarceration prevents 350 crimes. Correctional education is almost twice as cost-effective as a crime control policy. Additionally, correctional education may actually create long-run net cost savings. Inmates who participate in education programs are less likely to return to prison. For each re-incarceration prevented by education, states save about $20,000. One million dollars invested in education would prevent 26 re-incarcerations, for net future savings of $600,000. Details: Los Angeles: UCLA School of Public Policy and Social Research, Department of Policy Studies, 2004. 33p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2004 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 119115 Keywords: Correctional EducationCorrectional ProgramsCost-Benefit AnalysisRecidivism |
Author: New Zealand. Department of Corrections, Strategy, Policy and Planning Title: What Works Not? A Review and Update of Research Evidence Relevant to Offender Rehabilitation Practices Within the Department of Corrections Summary: The principles of effective correctional rehabilitation can be divided into three major domains, namely risk, targets and responsivity. This review examines new research published over the last decade that relates to these three domains. In doing so, the approach taken was not limited to publications directly aligned with the "what works" paradigm; the goal was to consider all new evidence which relates to effective correctional rehabilitation. Details: Wellington, NZ: New Zealand Department 0f Corrections, 2009. 70p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2009 Country: New Zealand URL: Shelf Number: 119149 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsCorrectionsRehabilitation |
Author: Gaes, Gerald G. Title: The Impact of Prison Education Programs on Post-Release Outcomes Summary: This paper reviews the evidence on the impact of correctional ecuction programs on post-release outcomes. Details: Unpublished paper presented at the Reentry Roundtable on Education, March 31 and April 1, 2008. 31p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 119130 Keywords: Correctional EducationCorrectional ProgramsRecidivismRehabilitation |
Author: McGlaze, Aidan Title: Making the Most of California's Correctional Education Reform: A Survey and Suggestions for Further Steps Summary: This paper surveys California's correctional education reform, arguing for expanded services on the grounds that improved education reduced recidivism, saves money, and facilitates prisoner reentry. People with educational difficulties are more likely to end up members of the incarcerated population, and those who improve their educational status while incarcerated are less likely to commit future crimes. After exploring the widespread consensus that effective education for incarcerated individuals yields tangible and demonstrable benefits and examining national data on the educational deficits observable in incarcerated populations, the paper turns to an analysis of the current programming reform in California, advocating for careful data collection and analysis, universal assessment and programming participation, and the consideration of computer-facilitated education. Details: Unpublished paper available at http://ssrn.com/abstract=977001 Source: Internet Resource Year: 7001 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 119180 Keywords: Correctional Education (California)Correctional ProgramsRecidivismRehabilitation |
Author: Kerr, Jane Title: Assessing the Feasibility of Conducting a Randomised Control Trial or Other Evaluation of the FOR...A Change Programme Summary: This feasibility study explored whether it would be possible to carry out a randomised control trial (RCT) of the brief cognitive motivational intervention aimed at offenders in the last three months of their sentence; Focus on Resettlement (FOR)…A Change programme. The study discovered that it would be feasible to carry out an RCT of the FOR programme, with staff and offenders recognising the benefits available, provided FOR eligibility was widened to included all prisoners sentenced to under 12 months. The randomisation process of the evaluation was identified as the most contentious aspect for ethical reasons and would need the support from across the prison estate to succeed. Details: London: Ministry of Justice, 2010. 103p. Source: Internet Resource; Ministry of Justice Research Summary 17/10 Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 119346 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsPrisonersRehabilitation |
Author: Bullock, Karen Title: The Delivery of Domestic Abuse Programmes: An Implementation Study of the Delivery of Domestic Abuse Programmes in Probation Areas and Her Majesty's Prison Service Summary: This study explored the delivery of accredited programmes for domestic violence offenders in custody and community settings – specifically to assess the extent to which these programmes were being implemented as intended. The study found that many aspects of the programmes were delivered as intended, particularly the main group work element, as well as identifying further strengths and weaknesses in programme delivery and will be useful in developing best practice. Details: London: Ministry of Justice, 2010. 20p. Source: Internet Resource; Ministry of Justice Research Series 15/10 Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 119344 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsDomestic ViolenceDomestic Violence OffendersProbation |
Author: Stewart, Lynn Title: An Examination of the Effectivess of Tupiq: A Culturally Specific Program for Inuit Sex Offenders Summary: The Tupiq program is a culturally specific, high intensity program for moderate to high risk Inuit sex offenders. It is designed to adhere to the principles of effective correctional programs and, additionally, provide teachings based on traditional Inuit knowledge and cultural ceremonies led by Inuit healers and facilitators. The study assessed whether participation in this specialized program improves correctional outcomes. The study found evidence that the program reduces general and violent recidivism among moderate to high-risk Inuit sex offenders and that it may also reduce sexual reoffending. Details: Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada, 2009. 40p. Source: Internet Resource; 2009 No. R-213 Year: 2009 Country: Canada URL: Shelf Number: 119368 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsEskimos (Inuit)Natives of North AmericaRehabilitationSex OffendersTreatment, Sex Offenders |
Author: Cortoni, Franca Title: Assessing the Effectiveness of the National Sexual Offender Program Summary: "The purpose of the current study was to assess the effectiveness of the National Sexual Offender Program (NaSOP) in reducing recidivism. The NaSOP is a cognitive-behavioural program offered to low and moderate risk male sexual offenders. It is a therapeutic and semi-structured intervention designed to help offenders develop effective self-management skills. In addition, the program targets cognitive distortions, deviant arousal and fantasy, social skills, anger and emotion management, empathy, and victim awareness. Following the principles of effective correctional interventions (Andrews & Bonta, 2003), the program is offered at both moderate and low intensity. The moderate intensity program is offered in institutions and typically consists of 10 to 14 hours of group work over a period of 4 to 5 months. The low intensity program is delivered both in the institutions and the community. This program typically constists of 3 to 5 hours of weekly group work over the course of 2 to 3 months. The program is delivered by psychologists and program delivery officers that have experience in the assessment and treatment of sexual offenders and who have completed standardized training in the delivery of the NaSOP. The NaSOP was given international accreditation in 2000 and was fully implemented across CSC by 2002. The study examined whether sexual offenders who had completed the NaSOP demonstrated reductions in recidivism when compared to a group of untreated sexual offenders. It included 347 sexual offenders who had participated in the NaSOP between 2000 and 2004. A comparison group comprised of 137 untreated sexual offenders as drawn from Motiuk and Porporino's (1993) database. Motiuk and Porporino (1993) conducted an exhaustive review of a representative sample of sexual offenders under federal jurisdiction (in institutions and in the community) at the time. They collected a wide range of information on these offenders in their sample, including whether they had participated in sexual offender treatment. Offenders identified in the database as not having participated in such treatment were selected for the comparison group. All offenders in the study had sufficient file information to permit the scoring of the STATIC-99, an actuarial assessment instrument specifically designed to assess risk of sexual recidivism. Two different approaches were utilized to examine whether NaSOP participants demonstrated reduced recidivism. The first approach was a cohort design, in which the rates of recidivism of the NaSOP participants were compared to those of the comparison group. After statistically controlling for risk and time-at-risk in the community, results showed that the offenders who participated in the NaSOP had a 68% reduction of sexual recidivism, an 83% reduction of violent recidivism, and a 77% reduction in any type of recidivism when compared to the untreated offenders. The second approach was a risk-band design, in which the actual recidivism rates are compared to actuarially-established projected rates of recidivism. Rates from the STATIC-99 normative sample were used as the comparison in this case. Cox regression analyses showed that the NaSOP group had an 88% lower rate of sexual recidivism than would have been expected based on the STATIC-99 normative sample. The odds of sexual recidivism for the comparison group, however, did not differ from those that would be expected based on their STATIC-99 scores. It is possible that year of release, as a result of socio-politic factors (e.g., willingness to report sexual offenders; societal reactions to sexual offending) affects recidivism rates. As the median year of release was 2003 for the NaSOP participants and 1992 for the comparison group, Cox regression analyses were conducted separately for the NaSOP and the comparison groups to examine the potential impact of year of release. For the NaSOP group, release year was not associated with recidivism of any type. For the comparison group, release year was not associated with sexual recidivism. It was associated, however, with violent recidivism. This indicates that for the comparison group, the predicted rate of violent recidivism increased by 56% with each one-year increase in release year. The results from this study are consistent with meta-analytical research on correctional treatment programs for sexual offenders (e.g., ATSA Collaborative Database), indicating that structured cognitive-behavioral interventions that target the factors specifically related to sexually offending behavior are effective methods to reduce recidivism among sexual offenders. The current findings provide evidence that the NaSOP is an effective intervention for reducing recidivism among low to moderate risk sexual offenders." Details: Ottawa: Correctional Service Canada, 2008. 15p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Report R-183; Accessed August 19, 2010 at: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/rsrch/reports/r183/r183-eng.shtml Year: 2008 Country: Canada URL: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/rsrch/reports/r183/r183-eng.shtml Shelf Number: 118804 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsRecidivismSex Offenders (Canada)Treatment, Sex Offenders |
Author: Great Britain. HM Inspectorate of Prisons Title: Alcohol Services in Prisons: An Unmet Need Summary: "This report draws on inspection surveys of 13,000 prisoners between 2004 and 2009, 72 inspection reports between 2006 and 2009, and surveys of drug coordinators in 68 prisons in 2009. The data cover all kinds of prisons holding those over 18. The survey results, particularly for the most recent year, are startling. Within the whole sample, 13% of prisoners surveyed reported having an alcohol problem when they entered their prison. In the most recent year, 2008-09, this rose to 19%, nearly one in five. It was even higher among young adults (30%) and women (29%). These figures almost certainly underestimate the scale of the problem, as many of those with alcohol problems will fail to recognise or acknowledge them. While most alcohol users, particularly women, reported concurrent use of illegal drugs, there was a significant proportion of male substance misusers for whom alcohol was the only problematic substance. This was true for half of the men in local prisons who reported having an alcohol problem. Among young adults, only a minority reported having drug problems, but no alcohol problem. Prisoners with alcohol problems are likely to be more problematic in general and to need greater support. More are high risk offenders and more had been in prison before. They were more likely than other prisoners to come into prison with pre-existing difficulties, such as housing needs and health, particularly mental health, issues. Alcohol use is accepted as a key risk factor in predicting violent reoffending. Yet this report shows that at every stage in prison, their needs are less likely to be either assessed or met than those with illicit drug problems. On entry to prison, alcohol problems are not consistently or reliably identified, nor is the severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Some establishment drug coordinators’ estimates of the extent of the problem in their prison appeared to be considerably at odds with our survey findings. Few prisons had an alcohol strategy based on a current needs analysis, and even where analyses had been carried out, some were likely to underestimate need. Services for alcohol users were very limited, particularly for those who did not also use illicit drugs. There was a shortage of healthcare staff with training in alcohol misuse, or dual diagnosis (mental health and substance use). Interventions so far have largely consisted of Alcoholics Anonymous, an abstinence-based self-help approach which is not suitable for all those with alcohol problems. CARATs (counselling, assessment, referral, advice and throughcare service) teams are not resourced to work with those who have only an alcohol problem. Most drug coordinators identified the lack of specific funding as a major barrier to providing adequate services, even when new interventions became available – whereas there has been ring-fenced funding for illicit drug users." Details: London: HM Inspectorate of Prisons, 2010. 68p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 21, 2010 at: http://www.justice.gov.uk/inspectorates/hmi-prisons/docs/Alcohol_2010_rps.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.justice.gov.uk/inspectorates/hmi-prisons/docs/Alcohol_2010_rps.pdf Shelf Number: 119213 Keywords: Alcohol AbuseCorrectional ProgramsPrisoners, Health CareRecidivism |
Author: McCormick, Jim Title: Learning in Custody: Report of the Offender Learning in Custody Workstream Summary: Offender Learning was established in Scotland following a commitment in the Skills Strategy. This workstream study focused on men and women aged 18 and over currently held in Scotland's prisons. The review of the program provides an opportunity to see where reform in needed in order to provide the skills necessary for offenders to find employment upon release from custody. Details: Edinburgh: Scottish Government, 2009. 91p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 23, 2010 at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/297466/0092538.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/297466/0092538.pdf Shelf Number: 117749 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsEducation, Inmates (Scotland)Ex-Offender EmploymentPrisoners |
Author: Lovell, Mark Title: Jailbreak: How to Transform Prisoners' Training Summary: Within weeks of coming to office, Kenneth Clark (UK) has announced a dramatic change to justice policy. The use of prison sentences is now to be cut. Those who do end up in jail will be given training - with independent companies brought in to see it through. However, this study warns that radical change in the system is needed if the policy is to work. The last government had set out on the same path, but with little success. Re-offending rates remained high at around 62%. In particular the system: Lacks a clear chain of accountability. Responsibility for training and funding overlaps between different Whitehall Departments and their agencies; The system suffers from confused aims and means. Programmes are often ill-suited to the offenders and have the wrong emphasis. There are high drop-out rates; The system is patchy. Access to it for offenders is uncertain. Many don’t get the chance to train properly. But there are exceptions – where companies and others from outside the system have had remarkable success. A change of direction is needed if the system is to open to success. Responsibility for training must be allocated to one body with a clear chain of accountability. Success should be judged against whether the offender is prepared when in prison to find and keep a job on release. Funds must be transparently allocated on a per capita basis. The total amount now used should go to the contracted body for an individual’s training. Details: London: Politeia, 2010. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 20, 2010 at: http://www.politeia.co.uk/sites/default/files/files/Jailbreak%20PDF.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.politeia.co.uk/sites/default/files/files/Jailbreak%20PDF.pdf Shelf Number: 119974 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsCorrections TrainingInmate ProgramsInmatesOffender TreatmentRehabilitation |
Author: Ipsos MORI Title: Improving Financial Capability Among Offenders: An Assessment of Three Programmes Delivering Financial Capabilitiy Trining to Offenders Summary: The Financial Services Authority (FSA) together with the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) funded three pilot projects designed to increase financial capability among offenders. Project 1: Correctional staff training delivered by the crime reduction charity, Nacro. A nationwide training programme for correctional staff working with offenders in prison or the community. It provides training on the financial capability needs of offenders, and how staff can support offenders by delivering one to one guidance sessions and workshops to offenders with these needs. Project 2: Prison setting training for offenders and staff delivered by the Vale of Glamorgan Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) in conjunction with NOMS Cymru. Delivered in two prisons in South Wales, this programme provides financial capability guidance directly to offenders through one to one 'surgery' sessions and group workshops. Along with this the CAB also provide training to staff and peer information advisors1 in ord er to raise awareness of the programme for offenders running in the prisons, and encourage them to refer offenders with financial capability needs to it. Project 3: Probation setting training delivered by the Portsmouth CAB in conjunction with Hampshire Probation. Delivered in the Hampshire probation area this programme provided financial capability guidance directly to offenders through CAB Gateway Assessments and one to one training sessions in the community, along with workshops delivered in Approved Premises. The project also contained training for Offender Managers to raise awareness of the programme running for offenders in the Hampshire probation area, and encourage them to identify financial capability needs among offenders and refer them to this programme. This report brings together previous assessments of two of these schemes3 with new research by Ipsos MORI to assess the effectiveness of each project and comparative lessons learned. Each project is judged by its reach to offenders and staff, content of the training, effectiveness of its process and outcomes for offenders. Details: London: Ipsos MORI, 2010. 80p., app. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 26, 2010 at: http://www.cfebuk.org.uk/pdfs/20101012_ifcao_report.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.cfebuk.org.uk/pdfs/20101012_ifcao_report.pdf Shelf Number: 120091 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsFinancial GuidanceFinancial TrainingOffenders |
Author: Sadlier, Greg Title: Evaluation of the Impact of the HM Prison Service Enhanced Thinking Skills Programme on Reoffending Outcomes of the Surveying Prisoner Crime Reduction (SPCR) Sample Summary: This research examined the impact of the Enhanced Thinking Skills (ETS) programme on the one-year reconviction outcomes of 257 prison-based participants between 2006 and 2008. Radius propensity score matching was used to match a comparison group that had no statistically significant difference (at the means) to the treatment group on any matching characteristic. ETS was found to significantly reduce both the reconviction rate (six percentage points) and frequency (60 reoffences per 100 released prisoners) of general reoffending of participants. No statistically significant impact was found on the severe offences reconviction rate. Almost identical impacts were found for completers. A stronger reduction in reconviction was found for participants meeting the suitability criteria. Though the programme has been shown to be effective in practice, the findings suggest that a stricter application of the targeting criteria might have further enhanced the effectiveness of the programme. Details: London: Ministry of Justice, 2010. 56p. Source: Internet Resource: Ministry of Justice Research Series 19/10: Accessed November 5, 2010 at: http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/docs/eval-enhanced-thinking-skills-prog.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/docs/eval-enhanced-thinking-skills-prog.pdf Shelf Number: 120196 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsPrisonersRecidivismRehabilitationReoffending |
Author: Welsh, Wayne N. Title: A Multi-Site Evaluation of Prison-Based Drug Treatment: A Research partnership Between the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and Temple University Summary: Therapeutic community (TC) drug treatment programs have become the preferred treatment approach in correctional settings. Previous evaluations of prison-based TC have produced promising results, including significant reductions in recidivism over follow-up periods ranging from three to five years. However, studies have also been criticized for small sample sizes, less-than-optimal research designs (e.g., uncontrolled selection and attrition biases), and insufficient attention to interactions between inmate characteristics, treatment process, and treatment outcomes (e.g., rearrest, reincarceration, drug relapse). No studies have examined prison-based TC across multiple sites while controlling for individual and programmatic variations in analyses of outcome. Numerous questions remain about the true impact of prison-based TC, and the potential impacts of unmeasured variations in inmate characteristics, treatment programs, and multiple outcome measures. The purpose of this project was to examine multiple, post-release outcomes over a post-release period of five years for inmates who participated in Therapeutic Community (TC) drug treatment programs or comparison groups at five Pennsylvania State Correctional Institutions (SCI's). The research was greatly facilitated by a strong, collaborative research partnership between Temple University and the Department of Corrections which began in 1998 and continues to the present. Details: Philadelphia: Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, 2009. 117p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 29, 2010 at: www.portal.state.pa.us/ Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 120312 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsDrug OffendersDrug Treatment (Pennsylvania)Recidivism |
Author: de Viggiani, Nick Title: Music in Time: An Evaluation of a Participatory Creative Music Programme for Older Prisoners Summary: This evaluation was developed as a research collaboration between the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol and a Community Interest Company, Superact, which is affiliated with the south west regional branch of an arts charity, Live Music Now! The funding for the project was awarded by the former Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (the Transformation Fund) to support the development of a creative music educational programme for older prisoners. Superact CIC and Live Music Now! have extensive experience of delivering music education programmes for prisoners. UWE was invited to provide research expertise in terms of developing and conducting the evaluation. The evaluation took a formative, qualitative approach to enable the creative music programme provided by Superact CIC to be evaluated from the points of view of prisoners across a range of establishments in the south west of England. This report describes the aims and objectives of the evaluation, provides an overview of the context, describes the methodology and fieldwork processes and reports on the findings. It is hoped that the information in the report can help inform future developments of creative arts programmes in this field. Details: Bristol, UK: University of West England, 2010. 101p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 30, 2010 at: http://eprints.uwe.ac.uk/8255/ Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://eprints.uwe.ac.uk/8255/ Shelf Number: 120319 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsElderly PrisonersMusic |
Author: Martin, Mark D. Title: Programs and Activities: Tools for Managing Inmate Behavior Summary: Violence, vandalism, and unsanitary conditions prevail in many jails nationwide, and they frustrate jail practitioners who must ensure the safety and security of inmates, staff, and the public. These conditions often result from insufficient attention to inmate behavior management, though over the past 25 years, important lessons about managing and controlling inmate behavior have emerged. One lesson is that a jail cannot control inmate behavior by focusing primarily on physical containment. Although physical security measures such as locks, steel doors, security glass, and alarm systems remain essential, a jail must actively manage inmate behavior to achieve a safe, clean, and secure environment. Keeping inmates productively occupied through inmate programming provides a powerful incentive for inmates to maintain positive behavior. Programs offer something constructive for inmates to do or learn, meaning there is less time for negative behaviors to become management problems for staff. Programs contribute to making staff work environments safer, with reduced threats of violence and hostility. They offer opportunities for self-improvement, possibly helping inmates function more productively in their communities upon release. Finally, there is likely to be a cost benefit: it can be less costly to implement programs in the long run than to constantly replace broken showerheads, repaint graffiti-ridden walls, or pay overtime for staff responding to inmate disturbances. Effective jail program planning integrates an assessment of jail and inmate needs with evidence-based programs. These programs fall into three distinct categories: activity-focused, reformative, and reintegration. Activity-focused programs further the primary goals of keeping inmates busy while they are in custody. Reformative programs provide inmates with knowledge and skills to address personal needs. Reintegration programs prepare inmates for their return to the community as productive citizens. This manual offers practical information and guidance on planning and implementing inmate programs. It provides a logic model for developing and assessing the programs. It includes activity-focused, reformative, and reintegrative program examples with varying levels of complexity and resources, including those that are free and easy to implement. In the manual, there are steps an administrator can take to provide leadership and support as well as overcome barriers to inmate programming. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections, 2010. 116p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 10, 2010 at: http://nicic.gov/Downloads/PDF/Library/024368.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://nicic.gov/Downloads/PDF/Library/024368.pdf Shelf Number: 120438 Keywords: Correctional InstitutionsCorrectional ProgramsInmatesJails |
Author: Burke, Peggy Title: TPC Case Management Handbook: An Integration Case Management Approach Summary: A number of recent publications offer resources to guide the work of redirecting corrections agencies and their noncorrectional partners in supporting successful reentry, building collaborative partnerships, and developing new outcome measures. Two important resources are: TPC Reentry Handbook: Implementing the NIC Transition from Prison to the Community Model; and Increasing Public Safety through Successful Offender Reentry: Evidence-Based and Emerging Practices in Corrections. This TPC Case Management Handbook is a companion to complement both of these resources, focusing more specifically on case management for successful reentry. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections, 2010. 143p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 10, 2010 at: http://nicic.gov/Downloads/PDF/Library/024393.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://nicic.gov/Downloads/PDF/Library/024393.pdf Shelf Number: 120439 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsPartnershipsReentry |
Author: Janetta, Jesse Title: CPAP Assessment of CDCR Recidivism-Reduction Programs Summary: There has been an increasing emphasis in recent years on correctional programming being “evidence-based.” In its report issued in December of 2007,a the Governor’s Rehabilitation Strike Team stated that “prisoners must be assessed, routed to appropriate evidence-based programs, and once released, continuity of treatment must be assured.” Evidence-based practice in the field of corrections is the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use by correctional administrators of current best research evidence in selecting programs designed to manage offenders, reduce recidivism, and increase public safety. Evidence-based programs adhere to “principles of effective intervention” established by prior research. With California facing serious prison overcrowding challenges in addition to the long-standing public safety need to reduce recidivism to the lowest possible levels, the salience of having evidence-based recidivism-reduction programming in California is greater than ever. This report assesses the degree to which 26 recidivism-reduction programs offered to prison inmates and parolees by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) are evidence-based, as determined by a rating of the programs using the California Program Assessment Process (CPAP). The CPAP is an instrument designed to measure the conformity of offender change programs to research-derived principles of effective correctional programming and the extent of research evidence supporting the program’s model. Details: Irvine, CA: Center for Evidence-Based Corrections, University of California, Irvine, 2008. 86p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 1, 2011 at: http://ucicorrections.seweb.uci.edu/files/CPAP%20Assessment%20of%20CDCR.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: http://ucicorrections.seweb.uci.edu/files/CPAP%20Assessment%20of%20CDCR.pdf Shelf Number: 120646 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsInmatesParoleesRecidivismRehabilitation Programs |
Author: Bartels, Lorana Title: Good Practice in Women's Prisons: A Literature Review Summary: Good prison practices are essential for the wellbeing of prisoners and the wider community. Not only do they provide assistance to one of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups within society, but they also benefit the wider community by providing adequate support and services to a group of people who will ultimately return to the community. The purposes of incarceration not only include retribution, punishment, deterrence and incapacitation, but also rehabilitation. In order for a prison to achieve this, it is essential to have prison practice models that support reintegration, facilitate personal development and reduce recidivism rates. In this paper, the literature concerning examples of good practice in women’s prison systems in Australia is reviewed. Key international developments are also considered, although it is acknowledged that the potential for transfer of such models may at times be limited. Details: Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2011. 78p. Source: Internet Resource: AIC Technical and Background Paper 41: Accessed February 15, 2011 at: http://www.aic.gov.au/documents/4/E/5/%7B4E5E4435-E70A-44DB-8449-3154E6BD81EB%7Dtbp041.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aic.gov.au/documents/4/E/5/%7B4E5E4435-E70A-44DB-8449-3154E6BD81EB%7Dtbp041.pdf Shelf Number: 120775 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsFemale InmatesFemale OffendersRehabilitation |
Author: West, John Marcus Title: Training Offenders for Life and Work: An Assessment of Texas' Project RIO (Reintegration of Offenders) Summary: The first purpose of this study is to describe the ideal characteristics of a model offender reintegration program based on a review of the literature. The second purpose is to conduct a limited case study and assess Texas’ Project RIO (Reintegration of Offenders) using the ideal characteristics. The third purpose is to make recommendations that should assist all offender reintegration programs to assist offenders more effectively in the reintegration process. The methodologies used in this limited case study of Project RIO include document and archival analysis. The document and archival analysis include a collection of reports published by Project RIO’s operating agencies and several independent reports. Overall, Project RIO does not adhere to the practical ideal type model developed through the literature. Project RIO could improve services by: increasing requirements regarding participation in life skills and educational programming; adding a reintegrative focus to the intake assessment of the offender; creating a method for diverting offenders from a return to prison for technical violations; and developing a method for offenders to earn the reintegration of their rights. Details: San Marcos, TX: Applied Research Projects, Texas State University - San Marcos, 2007. 91p. Source: Internet Resource: Paper 257: Accessed March 11, 2011 at: http://ecommons.txstate.edu/arp/257 Year: 2007 Country: United States URL: http://ecommons.txstate.edu/arp/257 Shelf Number: 120975 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsOffenders (Texas)ReentryRehabilitationReintegration |
Author: Olson, David E. Title: A Process and Impact Evaluation of the Sheridan Correctional Center Therapeutic Community Program During Fiscal Years 2004 through 2010 Summary: In response to increases in Illinois’ prison population, low rates of access to substance abuse treatment services while in prison, and high rates of recidivism, on January 2, 2004, the Illinois Department of Corrections opened the Sheridan Correctional Center as a fully-dedicated, modified therapeutic community for incarcerated adult male inmates. Since the program began, a process and impact evaluation has been conducted by researchers from Loyola University Chicago, the Illinois Department of Corrections, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (TASC), the Safer Foundation, and WestCare. After 6 ½ years of operation, covering the period from January 2, 2004 through the end of State Fiscal Year 2010 (June 30, 2010), the evaluation has found the following: The pre-operational target population identified for the program is being served, with those admitted to Sheridan having extensive criminal and substance abuse histories, and a substantial unmet need for treatment, vocational and educational programming; As a result of strong support from IDOC executive staff, the Sheridan program has been allowed to evolve and be implemented in a manner that has ensured the clinical integrity of the program and the availability of sufficient resources for needed services; As a result of Sheridan, IDOC has developed and implemented a process by which all adult inmates admitted to prison undergo a screening to identify substance abuse treatment need, the integration of this information into their automated Offender Tracking System, and the development of a treatment waiting list for inmates; During the past 6 ½ years, the following significant accomplishments and improvements to the operation of the Sheridan Correctional Center have been achieved: o A consistently low rate of inmates being referred to Sheridan who are subsequently determined to not meet the eligibility criteria, and quicker identification and removal of these inmates from Sheridan. Overall, less than 5 percent of all inmates admitted to Sheridan were determined to not meet the eligibility criteria during the 6 ½ years of operation. o A consistently low rate of inmates being removed from Sheridan due to disciplinary reasons, despite the serious criminal histories of the population. The ratio of inmates who successfully complete the prison-phase of the program to those removed for disciplinary reasons was 4 to 1; o An increasing proportion of inmates being admitted to Sheridan via the treatment wait list from other institutions. During the first year of operation, less than 4% of admissions came from other prisons, but by 2007, nearly 25% of all Sheridan admissions came from other facilities via the treatment wait list; o During the course of program participation, inmates at the Sheridan Correctional Center improved their levels of psychological and social functioning, and reduced their criminal thinking patterns; o During the time period examined in this report, 32 percent of Sheridan graduates completed at least one vocational certificate program, and this reached a peak of 50 percent of inmates released during SFY 2008; and, o The implementation of enhanced pre-release planning for Sheridan releasees, including the involvement of a multidisciplinary case staffing team representing the institutional staff, parole and aftercare staff and the inmate. In addition to these enhancements at the Sheridan Correctional Center, significant accomplishments, enhancements and improvements to the post-release phase of the program have also been evident during the 6 ½ years of program operation, including: o A pattern of aftercare referrals consistent with the pre-operational expectations, with all Sheridan releasees receiving referrals to either outpatient or residential treatment services; o An increased rate of successful treatment admission among Sheridan releasees, fewer releasees failing to show up for aftercare referrals, and a decreased length of time between an inmate’s release and aftercare placement; and, o An increased rate of successful aftercare treatment completion among the Sheridan releasees. Among the SFY 2005 releasees from Sheridan only about one-half successfully completed post-release aftercare, but among the SFY 2009 and 2010 releasees, aftercare completion rates exceeded 70 percent. As a result of the successful implementation of the prison-phase of the Sheridan Correctional Center, coupled with the post-release aftercare component, the Sheridan program has produced the following outcomes: o The earned good conduct credits many of the inmates received at Sheridan for their participation in treatment during the first six full state fiscal years of operation (SFY 2005-2010) translates into a savings of 714 years of incarceration, which equates to $16.7 million, or $2.78 million per year, in reduced incarceration costs; o Sheridan participants who earned a vocational certificate were almost twice as likely to have job starts than those released from Sheridan who did not earn a vocational certificate; o As a result of the treatment services and aftercare received, those inmates released from Sheridan had a 16 percent lower likelihood of being returned to prison after three years in the community than a statistically similar comparison group of inmates released from Illinois’ other prisons during the same time period, and a 25 percent lower recidivism rate than those removed from Sheridan due to disciplinary reasons; and, o The largest reductions in recidivism —both in terms of rearrest and return to prison -- were evident among those Sheridan releasees who successfully completed aftercare treatment. Those Sheridan graduates who also completed aftercare had a 44 percent lower likelihood of being returned to prison after three years in the community than a statistically similar comparison group. Given that rates of aftercare treatment completion have improved substantially over the past year, it is likely that in the future the overall reductions in recidivism associated with Sheridan will be even larger. Details: Chicago: Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, 2011. 120p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 21, 2011 at: http://www.icjia.state.il.us/public/pdf/ResearchReports/Sheridan_6_year_eval_report_01_2011.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.icjia.state.il.us/public/pdf/ResearchReports/Sheridan_6_year_eval_report_01_2011.pdf Shelf Number: 121085 Keywords: AftercareCorrectional ProgramsOffender Treatment (Illinois)RecidivismRehabilitationSubstance Abuse TreatmentVocational Training |
Author: Minnesota Department of Corrections Title: The Impact of Prison-Based Treatment on Sex Offender Recidivism: Evidence from Minnesota Summary: In evaluating the effectiveness of sex offender treatment in Minnesota prisons, this study does not use a randomized experimental design. Furthermore, due to a lack of available data, it does not control for the possible impact that post-release participation in community-based treatment may have on reoffending. Despite these limitations, however, the present study contains a number of strengths that have been lacking from most prior treatment studies. First, as discussed later in more detail, a propensity score matching (PSM) technique was used to individually match treated and untreated sex offenders. In doing so, this study minimizes the threat of selection bias by creating a comparison group whose probability of entering treatment was similar to that of the treatment group. Second, in addition to being one of the first studies in the sex offender treatment literature to use PSM, this study further controls for rival causal factors by analyzing the data with Cox regression, which is widely regarded as the most appropriate multivariate statistical technique for recidivism analyses. Third, by comparing 1,020 treated sex offenders with a matched group of 1,020 untreated sex offenders, the sample size used for this study (N = 2,040) is one of the larger sex offender treatment studies to date. Fourth, to gain a more precise assessment of the effectiveness of treatment, multiple measures of treatment participation and criminal recidivism were used. Finally, because recidivism data were collected on the 2,040 sex offenders through the end of 2006, the average follow-up period for these offenders was 9.3 years. This study thus provides a robust assessment of treatment effectiveness by tracking offenders over a relatively lengthy period of time. Details: St. Paul, MN: Minnesota Department of Corrections, 2010. 49p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 29, 2011 at: http://www.doc.state.mn.us/publications/documents/03-10SOTXStudy_Revised.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.doc.state.mn.us/publications/documents/03-10SOTXStudy_Revised.pdf Shelf Number: 121190 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsRecidivismRehabilitationSex Offender TreatmentSex Offenders (Minnesota) |
Author: New Zealand. Department of Corrections. Strategic Analysis and Research Title: Evaluation of the Faith Based Unit and Target Communities Programme Summary: An evaluation was undertaken recently by Strategy, Policy and Planning on the Faith-based Unit (FBU) at Rimutaka Prison and the associated “Target Communities” (TC) programme that assists prisoners with community reintegration. Questions that the evaluation sought to address were: • To what extent does the FBU (and TC) succeed in engaging and positively motivating prisoners? • How successfully does the programme operate within a custodial environment? • To what extent does the FBU (and TC) succeed in achieving its aims of prosocial change, and reduced re-offending? With respect to the first question, the evidence gathered indicates that prisoners generally engaged well with the FBU experience and the post-release support, and expressed high levels of motivation to make changes in their lives. Prisoners and released offenders who were interviewed for the evaluation disclosed a wide range of benefits they felt they had achieved from FBU participation. There was general endorsement for the community change approach which the unit sought to maintain. Within this environment, participants felt that they had the opportunity to learn and grow, and to prepare themselves for life on the outside. They spoke of being treated with decency and respect, and that as a result they had been given hope. Those involved with the Target Communities service in particular were without exception extremely grateful for the commitment displayed to them by the volunteers. At the same time, they were aware that they were still on a journey that had only really just begun. The level of community engagement achieved by Prison Fellowship New Zealand (PFNZ), in terms of the sheer numbers of community members enlisted to work alongside the offenders, is quite remarkable, and unique within the prison system. With respect to the second question, evaluation findings point to a range of differences in the perspectives of PFNZ and Prison Services which have meant a difficult relationship between the two parties. A “clash of cultures” is observed, between PFNZ staff’s unwavering belief in the value of the programme, and their earnest desire to ensure that participating offenders gain maximal value from their time in the unit, while a number of key personnel within Prison Services tend to view the programme more sceptically, and sometimes act in ways that have been interpreted (by PFNZ) as devaluing the unit’s worth. Quantitative analysis using psychometric instruments supported prisoners’ claims of making positive changes while in the unit, showing significant changes in offending-related beliefs. With respect to reconviction data, an RQ analysis revealed no significant impacts amongst the (admittedly small) FBU sample. Some reduction in the seriousness of new offending was identified, but this fell below the level of statistical significance, and thus cannot be interpreted as conclusive proof of a positive effect. The absence of measurable impacts on reconvictions is consistent with the findings from a number of previous studies internationally on similar faith based programmes. However, the relatively small sample size available for inclusion in the reconviction analysis means that the results ought not be considered conclusive. A theoretical model (programme logic) that is hypothesised to effect transformation of FBU participants was extracted from the interviews with stakeholders. The model emphasises that the primary mechanism of change for the FBU is the therapeutic community. This evaluation did not attempt to test the effectiveness of the principles of the therapeutic community model since PFNZ have only recently gained clarity about that approach. However, that could occur through a followup evaluation at a later date. A number of key learnings and recommendations are made about the future of the FBU, subject to decisions on renewal of the contract with PFNZ. These relate to the relationship between PFNZ and the Department, programme length, and the sentence planning processes that support the unit’s operation. Details: Wellington, NZ: New Zealand Department of Corrections, 2010. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 29, 2011 at: http://www.corrections.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/486357/Final_version_of_FBU_evaluation_report_-_web_version.pdf Year: 2010 Country: New Zealand URL: http://www.corrections.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/486357/Final_version_of_FBU_evaluation_report_-_web_version.pdf Shelf Number: 121195 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsFaith-Based InitiativesOffender RehabilitationRecidivism |
Author: Dunkel, Frieder Title: International Study on Women’s Imprisonment: Current Situation, Demand Analysis and "Best Practice" Summary: Since women in Europe only constitute an average of roughly 4.5% to 5.0% of the total prison population (from 2.9% in Poland to 7.8 % in Spain), women in European prisons experience specific problems and structural disadvantages. Prisons are geared towards male prisoners and therefore excessive security measures are implemented, women‘s educational and work opportunities are (even) more restricted, and the inmate structure reveals that female prisoners show a high incidence of substance abuse, as well as psychological and psychosomatic complaints. In addition to these problems that occur in all the countries surveyed, some countries experience their own unique problems: ranging from the structure of the criminal offence (e.g. drug couriers in Spain) to the historic-political background of the countries that have joined the EU. There is thus an urgent need to evaluate the current situation of female prisoners and their needs. Under the preconditions of a resource-oriented approach, the ‚healthy prison’ concept as well as theories of work- and organisational psychology, the aim is to examine women‘s prisons from a number of different angles in order to promote designs that meet the women’s needs and thus promote tertiary prevention. The analysis of the specific situation and actual conditions of imprisonment of female prisoners allows, firstly, the identification of what constitutes ‚best practice’ and, secondly, – also in terms of gender mainstreaming – the derivation of measures that can be taken to ensure that imprisonment takes place in accordance with the needs of female prisoners. The current lack of knowledge and cross-border transfer of experiences with regard to female prisoners brings a number of difficulties with it. It is thus more difficult to ensure that penal institutions are properly designed and organised and that the prison officers receive adequate specialised vocational training, which in turn negatively affects the prisoners’ rehabilitation. To counter this difficiency, the following project measures will be taken whereby the sanctioning practices of the participating countries will be taken into account: a) Examination of female prisons at the organisational level (structural conditions): regard of human rights, accommodation (number of occupants, proximity to home, mother-child facilities), educational and work situation of the imprisoned women, treatment (opportunities for substance abusers, opportunities and facilities specifically geared towards women, etc.) qualification of staff, etc. b) Differential analysis of the perceived living conditons and conditions of imprisonment in the participating countries as well as - and with special reference to - the specific needs of imprisoned women: assessment of the quality of life and the climate in each institution, needs, and experience of stress. c) Differential analysis of the subjective concepts of the prison staff regarding imprisoned women, the prison system and in particular their vocational role. Details: Greifswald, Germany: University of Greifswald, Department of Criminology, 2005. 40p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 14, 2011 at: http://www.rsf.uni-greifswald.de/fileadmin/mediapool/lehrstuehle/duenkel/Reader_womeninprison.pdf Year: 2005 Country: Europe URL: http://www.rsf.uni-greifswald.de/fileadmin/mediapool/lehrstuehle/duenkel/Reader_womeninprison.pdf Shelf Number: 121338 Keywords: Correctional InstitutionsCorrectional ProgramsFemale Inmates (Europe)Female OffendersFemale PrisonsWomen Prisoners |
Author: Djurichkovic, Alexandra Title: Art in Prisons: A Literature Review of the Philosophies and Impacts of Visual Arts Programs for Correctional Populations Summary: This review was commissioned by Arts Access Australia to examine evidence for the value of visual arts programs in Australian prisons and their impact on adult inmates. It considers current philosophies behind art programs, how they are implemented and how ‘success’ is measured, and includes an annotated bibliography of relevant literature. Details: Sydney: Arts Access Australia, University of Technology Sydney, 2011. 39p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 18, 2011 at: http://utsescholarship.lib.uts.edu.au/iresearch/scholarly-works/bitstream/handle/2100/1212/ArtinPrisons_Djurichkovic.pdf?sequence=3 Year: 2011 Country: Australia URL: http://utsescholarship.lib.uts.edu.au/iresearch/scholarly-works/bitstream/handle/2100/1212/ArtinPrisons_Djurichkovic.pdf?sequence=3 Shelf Number: 121377 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsInmate ArtRehabilitationVisual Arts (Australia) |
Author: Watson, Lanette Title: Process and Outcome Evaluation of the STAR (Sisters Together Achieving Recovery) Program Summary: This report presents a process and outcome evaluation of the STAR (Sisters Together Achieving Recovery) program housed at the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women (ICIW) in Mitchellville, Iowa. The STAR Program is a licensed inpatient substance abuse treatment program that utilizes a Therapeutic Community model (TC). All offenders exiting the STAR program between October 1, 2004 and June 30, 2008 were included in the study (n=173). A comparison sample was drawn of offenders exiting the ICIW during the same release time frame with identified but untreated substance abuse needs (n= 173). March 31, 2010 was designated as the cut-off date for the study. This yielded an average post-program follow-up time of 3.1 years. The STAR group was further divided into two groups by time of program exit. Participants exiting the program between October 1, 2004 and June 30, 2006 were designated as STAR 1 (n=78) and those exiting the program between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2008 were designated as STAR 2 (n=95). In order to have comparable tracking time between STAR groups, tracking time for STAR 1 concluded July 31, 2008. This yielded an average post release follow-up time of 2.4 years for both groups. Demographic, Program, Intervention, and Outcome data were examined. Comparisons were made between groups as well as categories of participation. Details: Des Moines, IA: Iowa Department of Human Rights, Division of Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning, Statistical Analysis Center, 2010. 77p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 20, 2011 at: http://www.humanrights.iowa.gov/cjjp/images/pdf/STAR_Evaluation_Report.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.humanrights.iowa.gov/cjjp/images/pdf/STAR_Evaluation_Report.pdf Shelf Number: 121449 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsDrug OffendersDrug TreatmentFemale Inmates (Iowa)Female OffendersRecidivism |
Author: Aromaa, Kauko Title: Survey of United Nations and other Best Practices in the Treatment of Prisoners in the Criminal Justice System Proceedings of the workshop held at the Twelfth United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Salvador, Brazil, 12-19 A Summary: There is enormous variation in the way the world’s ten million prisoners are treated. Some young men do drill in military style boot camps while others are counselled in therapeutic communities. Prisoners deemed dangerous may be held in almost total isolation in the highest “supermax” conditions of security; low risk prisoners approaching their date of release go out to work during the day from open establishments. Some convicted prisoners can spend years in remote labour colonies, pre trial detainees a few weeks in city centre lock ups. In consequence of this almost infinite variety, any attempt to survey best practices in the treatment of prisoners within the criminal justice system in the course of a one day meeting is destined to be partial at best. Yet the presentations and discussions in this workshop make an important contribution to identifying priorities for UN member states and the international community in the field of penal reform. The substantive themes addressed in the workshop fall into three broad categories. The first concerns the best framework of international law and regulation which governs the treatment of prisoners and the practice of detention. The second concerns the way these international norms are implemented in reality, particularly in respect of the way prisons seek to rehabilitate offenders, promote their good health and meet the needs of the most vulnerable prisoners. The third theme is the contribution that wider society makes to the treatment of prisoners and the ways in which both prison systems and individual prisons relate to the broader community which they serve. Details: Helsinki: European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control, affiliated with the United Nations (HEUNI), 2010. 150p. Source: Internet Resource: Publications Series No. 65: Accessed April 27, 2011 at: http://www.heuni.fi/Satellite?blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobcol=urldata&SSURIapptype=BlobServer&SSURIcontainer=Default&SSURIsession=false&blobkey=id&blobheadervalue1=inline;%20filename=Taitto_65_Final_Painoon_Lis%C3%A4ys_030111.pdf&SSURIsscontext=Satellite%20Server&blobwhere=1295264950807&blobheadername1=Content-Disposition&ssbinary=true&blobheader=application/pdf Year: 2010 Country: International URL: http://www.heuni.fi/Satellite?blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobcol=urldata&SSURIapptype=BlobServer&SSURIcontainer=Default&SSURIsession=false&blobkey=id&blobheadervalue1=inline;%20filename=Taitto_65_Final_Painoon_Lis%C3%A4ys_030111.pd Shelf Number: 121507 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsPrisonersPrisonsRehabilitation |
Author: Willison, Janeen Buck Title: Faith-Based Corrections and Reentry Programs: Advancing a Conceptual Framework for Research and Evaluation Summary: Resource strapped policymakers and criminal justice practitioners are increasingly turning to the faith community to help meet the multiple needs of returning prisoners. Although faith-based organizations have long served disadvantaged individuals, including prisoners, few studies have examined the effectiveness of faith-based efforts to improve prisoner reentry and reduce recidivism or identified the distinguishing characteristics of “faith-related” programming. None has focused on faith-based programs in corrections. As a result, basic questions about the nature of faith-based programs and how they may improve offender outcomes, including recidivism and other reentry outcomes, remain largely unanswered. This gap makes evaluation haphazard and inhibits meaningful policy debate. Researchers at the Urban Institute (UI) worked to address these critical gaps in knowledge with funding from the National Institute of Justice. Under the Faith-Based Corrections and Reentry Programs: Advancing a Conceptual Framework for Research and Evaluation (FBCRP) study, UI researchers surveyed faith-based in-prison and reentry programs across the country to identify key program characteristics and explore the extent and manner in which faith or spirituality infuses program content and activities. The primary objective of the survey was to formulate answers to two critical questions: (1) What is a faith-based program, and (2) How does faith “work” in faith-based programs. Concerted effort was made to identify and include programs operating from a mix of faith traditions. The overarching objective of the research was to provide policymakers, program developers, practitioners and evaluators with a practical tool for classifying faith-based corrections programs and advance a platform for future research on the effectiveness of faith-based reentry and corrections programs. The study, like the survey, was entirely exploratory in nature. Findings from the survey indicate meaningful variation in the characteristics of faith-based programs, even among programs identifying with the same faith tradition (Christian). Among the 48 programs represented in the survey, 85 percent identified as “faith-based.” Those operating outside the three Abrahamic faith-traditions (Christian, Jewish, and Islamic religions) were less inclined to do so, preferring the mantle “spiritually-based.” Analysis, though limited, confirms that faith-based programs are differentiated by the manner and degree to which faith and spirituality intersects around four dimensions: program identity; religious activities; staff and volunteers; and key outcomes. These distinctions provide direction for future research by identifying constructs and measures for further investigation and exploration. Practitioners in the field, such as parole or probation officers, also stand to benefit from this analysis: these distinctions suggest not all faith-based programs are alike and that a range of faith-based options are available to corrections practitioners and their clients. The extent to which the current findings would differ for a more diverse sample is unknown and a noteworthy consideration for future research efforts. Details: Washington, DC: Urban Institute, 2010. 77p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 5, 2011 at: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/234058.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/234058.pdf Shelf Number: 121648 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsFaith-Based ProgramsReentryRehabilitationVolunteers in Corrections |
Author: Gorgol, Laura E. Title: Unlocking Potential: Results of a National Survey of Postsecondary Education in State Prisons Summary: As policymakers consider ways to increase educational attainment, generate future economic growth, and reduce public expenditures, educational opportunity for the incarcerated population should be a meaningful component of policy strategies. Designed to increase knowledge about how states are providing postsecondary education to incarcerated individuals, this brief rests on results of a national survey of state correctional education administrators (CEAs), presenting unique policy relevant information on the availability, administration, and funding of PSCE in state prison systems. A central purpose of the brief is to elevate the policy attention paid to postsecondary opportunity for incarcerated persons. Details: Washington, DC: Institute for Higher Education Policy, 2011. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Issue Brief: Accessed May 17, 2011 at: http://www.ihep.org/assets/files/publications/s-z/Unlocking_Potential-PSCE_FINAL_REPORT_May_2011.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.ihep.org/assets/files/publications/s-z/Unlocking_Potential-PSCE_FINAL_REPORT_May_2011.pdf Shelf Number: 121737 Keywords: Correctional EducationCorrectional ProgramsRecidivism |
Author: Great Britain. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons Title: Resettlement Provision for Children and Young People: Accommodation and Education, Training and Employment Summary: Resettlement is one of the main tests against which the Inspectorate judges the health of a prison. This thematic review, commissioned by the Youth Justice Board, examines accommodation and education, training and employment (ETE) resettlement provision for sentenced young men aged 15 to 18 in young offender institutions. It reports on the work carried out in custody to prepare young people for release, using survey data as well as indepth interviews with 61 sentenced young men, their case supervisors and follow-up information on what happened to them on release. The heads of resettlement and learning and skills in each institution provide an establishment perspective. Ensuring that young people have suitable and sustainable accommodation and ETE on release from custody is a vital first step to reduce reoffending and enable young people to successfully reintegrate into the community. This is no small task – in our sample of 61 young men more than eight out of 10 (84%) had an accommodation and/or ETE need identified. In our survey almost half of young men said they were under 14 when they were last at school and 86% said they had been excluded at some point. All establishments had a strategy to drive forward resettlement work but in most cases these did not involve external agencies and had not been informed by a recent needs analysis of the population. The training planning process should be central to coordinating work to address young people’s individual needs, with targets set for a young person’s time in custody and plans for their release. We found from our fieldwork that several establishment case supervisors, who oversaw the training plan, had a good knowledge of the young people in their caseload. Most young men reported that training plan targets had been discussed with them, although less than two-thirds in our case sample knew what their targets were and only half said they had had a say in the targets set for them – this then had a real impact on whether they tried to achieve them. In custody, the range and quality of education and training provision was generally satisfactory and it was clear that, where possible, a young person’s preferences had been taken into account when allocating them to ETE. Most, although not all, young men said they were involved in some form of ETE at the time of interview and three-quarters said they had received or were working towards a qualification – 62% thought that these would be useful on release. Although it could often have been better tied to resettlement planning, at several establishments the use of release on temporary licence (ROTL) was improving, with some good quality work placements on offer. Case supervisors realised the importance of accommodation and ETE in resettlement work and reported that these issues were considered from the point of a young person’s arrival in custody. However, training planning targets often placed the onus only on the young person and did not specify what resources would be put in place or how they would be helped to achieve them. The main focus was on how they spent their time in custody and there were few long-term targets aimed at those responsible for ensuring plans were in place for their release. Establishments reported that this was the responsibility of youth offending teams (or social workers for looked after children). At the Heron unit at Feltham young people also had a resettlement broker who was involved in resettlement planning while young people were in custody, but who also offered intensive support to them for at least six months following release. Despite their key role, the attendance of social workers at training planning meetings for looked after children was poor. In contrast, relationships with community-based youth offending teams (YOTs) were well developed and YOT case managers normally attended training planning meetings. However, plans were not always finalised in time for the pre-release meeting which, understandably, worried young people and frustrated case supervisors. Two of the 61 young men interviewed said that not having accommodation had prevented their early release, but no establishments monitored this. It was not evident that discussions were taking place about whether accommodation arrangements set up at the point of release were suitable and sustainable. In our case sample, 61% of young men said they would be living with family on release and the majority were optimistic about it as they felt their family’s support was the key to their successful resettlement. Although establishments realised the importance of young people maintaining contact with family where appropriate and encouraged it, more structured work needed to be done to rebuild or maintain relationships while young people were in custody. This left two-fifths of our sample who required accommodation to be arranged for their release, which was a vital step before other release plans could be put in place. Case supervisors reported a range of barriers to finding suitable accommodation, including a limited supply of local authority housing and issues around the young person’s behaviour or offence. They also reported a range of barriers to arranging ETE for release, including limited availability in the community. At the time of interview, only 14 of the 48 young men who said they wanted to continue education had a place arranged. Worryingly, of the 42 young men who said they wanted to work (either full-time or part-time alongside education), only nine reported that they had a job arranged on release – and for seven of these it had been arranged through family, without help from the establishment or the YOT. Follow-up information was requested from case supervisors on what happened to the young men in our case sample on release and a month later, with information received for 41 and 37 of the young men respectively. Only 13 young men (32%) had both suitable accommodation (as assessed by case supervisors) and ETE on release. Two, including a looked after child, were forced to report as homeless. One in five were placed in accommodation assessed as unsuitable by case supervisors; this included three young men who had had to go into bed and breakfast lodgings – one was still there a month later – and two who were living with family where this was a cause for concern. Only a third of young men had an ETE placement arranged on release, only half of these were still attending a month later and only a fifth of those who had not got a placement on release had one confirmed a month later. Where ETE placements had fallen through, case supervisors felt this was due to unstable accommodation, a lack of family support, the young person’s lack of motivation or problems due to the timing of course start dates. A month after release six of the young men were in custody and one was ‘on the run’ – three of the young people who had returned to custody were looked after children. This report raises a key question – how effective is the resettlement work conducted in custody in terms of the actual outcomes for young people? This was not monitored by establishments and our follow-up information highlights the need to look beyond the gate in order to evaluate the effectiveness of resettlement work. Overall the outcomes for our sample were very disappointing. The Heron unit, although we can make no conclusions based on our small sample, seemed a promising initiative, as did the resettlement consortia, although the young offender institutions involved were not visited for this report. These are being formally evaluated and we look forward to seeing the results. Although our recommendations are to the Ministry of Justice, Youth Justice Board and National Offender Management Service we recognise that, to ensure all young people have suitable accommodation and ETE on release from custody, a joint approach with other government departments and external agencies is required. The starting point should be an acceptance that vulnerable young people released from custody are children in need. This would go some way toward focusing the joint effort that is needed to prevent them from returning to custody and becoming entrenched at an early age in a life of crime. Details: London: HM Inspectorate of Prisons, 2011. 118p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 28, 2011 at: http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/publications/inspectorate-reports/hmipris/Resettlement-thematic-june2011.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/publications/inspectorate-reports/hmipris/Resettlement-thematic-june2011.pdf Shelf Number: 121879 Keywords: Correctional EducationCorrectional ProgramsHousing for Ex-OffendersJuvenile Offenders (U.K.)ReentryRehabilitationYoung Adult Offenders |
Author: Howard League for Penal Reform Title: Business Behind Bars: Making Real Work in Prison Work Summary: Market research company ICM has polled 1,000 respondents on the U.K. government’s proposals to introduce real work into prisons. 51 per cent of the public support the government’s plans to make it easier to bring private companies into jails to employ prisoners in regular nine-to-five jobs. While only a quarter opposed it, 19% neither supporting nor opposing the policy and 4% recorded as ‘don’t knows’. But digging further down into public opinion reveals that: · 87% agree that if such a proposal were adopted, prisoners employed by private companies should pay tax and national insurance on their earnings; · 82% agree that prisoners employed by private companies should contribute a proportion of their wages to a fund for victims; · 74% agree that prisoners employed by private companies should contribute a proportion of their wages to their families on the outside; · 79% agree that prisoners employed by private companies should put aside a proportion of their wages to save towards their return to the community; · 74% agree that prisoners employed by private companies should be paid the national minimum wage to avoid the prison workforce undercutting the local labour workforce. The Howard League has given the report, Business Behind Bars: Making real work in prison work, to senior officials in government who are keen to implement some of the ideas. The coalition government is committed to cutting the prison population through fewer shorter sentences and improving the rehabilitation of offenders through better training. The report explains that if implemented properly, real work in prison could result in up to 11 prisons hosting work and over 12,000 prisoners working and being given the chance to contribute to society. Details: London: Howard League, 2011. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 6, 2011 at: http://www.howardleague.org/fileadmin/howard_league/user/online_publications/Business_behind_bars.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.howardleague.org/fileadmin/howard_league/user/online_publications/Business_behind_bars.pdf Shelf Number: 121974 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsJob Training, InmatesPrison IndustriesPrison Labor (U.K.)Prisoner Rehabilitation |
Author: Bracken, Carolina Title: Bars to Learning: Practical Challenges to the ‘Working Prison’ Summary: Without effective rehabilitative intervention, prison offers no long-term social remedy for reducing reoffending. A spell in prison can cost an individual their home, contact with their family, their job, and leave them entirely unable to break the pattern of offending behaviour. Nonetheless, custody can provide a stable, controlled environment, in which prisoners are empowered to take personal responsibility for their behaviour and its consequences. The question is not whether prison can work, but how we can make prison work more effectively. In light of strong evidence of the link between employment and reduced reoffending, the recent Ministry of Justice green paper ‘Breaking the Cycle: Effective Punishment, Rehabilitation and Sentencing of Offenders’ plans to create a new ‘working prison’, in which ‘hard work and industry’ are ‘central to the regime’. The paper promises a renewed and revitalised commitment to enhancing offenders’ employability, as part of its far-reaching ‘rehabilitation revolution’. Details: London: Civitas: Institute for the Study of Civil Society, 2011. 42p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 18, 2011 at: http://www.civitas.org.uk/crime/barstolearning.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.civitas.org.uk/crime/barstolearning.pdf Shelf Number: 122082 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsJob Training, InmatesPrison LaborPrisoners (U.K.)Rehabilitation |
Author: Allen, Robert Title: An Economic Analysis of Prison Education Programs and Recidivism Summary: Previous research on criminal recidivism has attempted to quantify general socioeconomic factors that influence the decision to return to crime. This paper studies the specific effects of prison educational and vocational programs on recidivism using individual level data from a nationally representative sample of roughly 300,000 prisoners. In order to account for endogeneity problems that bias current studies, we use a two stage regression with the number of participants per state as an instrumental variable. Ultimately, we find insufficient statistical evidence to conclude that prison education courses have an effect on recidivism. This result suggests that such programs are either ineffective or their benefits are offset by a reduction in the deterrent value of prison. Details: Atlanta, GA: Emory University, Department of Economics, 2006. 35p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 28, 2011 at: http://www.economics.emory.edu/Working_Papers/wp/Allen.pdf Year: 2006 Country: United States URL: http://www.economics.emory.edu/Working_Papers/wp/Allen.pdf Shelf Number: 122188 Keywords: Correctional Education (U.S.)Correctional ProgramsPrisonersRecidivism |
Author: Onyewu, Chinonyerem (Nonye) Chidozie Title: The Relative Importance of Selected Variables on the Employment Consistency of Virginia Ex-Offenders Summary: To decrease the steady rise in the prison population, we must deter ex-offenders from re-offending and recidivating, once they have been released. For exoffenders, finding employment is critical to successful post-release re-integration which can help reduce the chances of them recidivating. Ex-offenders who are consistent in their employment patterns are less likely to return to a life of crime. This study investigated the relative importance and significance of 11 selected variables on four separate levels of employment consistency. The selected variables were chosen based on what has been identified in the literature as effecting employment patterns of ex-offenders and the general population, and what data was reliable and available. The study group consisted of 2,314 male Virginia ex-offenders released in fiscal year 2001. The results revealed that the variables of time served, career and technical education program completions, educational level, age at release, race, and being convicted of a violent offense were positive predictors of employment consistency. On the other hand, having a record of minor infractions and being a repeat offender were associated with decreasing employment consistency in the analysis. The findings of the study suggest that it is important for offenders to make changes in the ways they think and their attitudes. This can be accomplished by taking advantage of opportunities in prison to participate in rehabilitative services and educational programs. In addition, as offenders get older they tend to abandon criminal ways of thinking, and once released they are more apt to stay employed. Furthermore, the influence of the race variable did not affect the study group of ex-offenders as anticipated. Details: Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2009. 148p. Source: Internet Resource: Doctoral Thesis: Accessed July 29, 2011 at: http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-02202009-131738/unrestricted/Nonye_Onyewu_Dissertation_Final_version.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-02202009-131738/unrestricted/Nonye_Onyewu_Dissertation_Final_version.pdf Shelf Number: 122232 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsEx-offenders (Employment) (Virgina)ReentryRehabilitation |
Author: Lichtenberger, Eric J. Title: The Impact of Vocational Programs on Post-Release Outcomes for Full Completers from the Fiscal Year 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2000 Release Cohorts Summary: This report presents a statistical analysis of post-release outcomes for those prisoners who had completed a vocational program while in prison in Virginia for the fiscal years 1999-2002. Details: Richmond, VA: Center for Assessment, Evaluation, and Educational Programming, Virginia Tech, 2007. 33p. Source: Sprcial Report Series: Report Number 1: Available at the Don M. Gottfredson Library of Criminal Justice, Rutgers University Year: 2007 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 12227 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsEx-Offenders, EmploymentPrisoner Reentry (Virginia)RecidivismVocational Education and Training |
Author: Wilkinson, Reginald A., ed. Title: Reentry Best Practices: Directors' Perspectives Summary: This compendium presents reentry best practices that were submitted by member agencies. The submissions are clustered into five substantive areas. They were: (1) Prison Programs; (2) Transitional Programs; (3) Mental Health/Substance Abuse Programs; (4) Community Supervision Strategies; and (5) Promising or Unique Services. Details: Middleton, CT: Association of State Correctional Administrators, 2004. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 8, 2011 at: http://www.asca.net/system/assets/attachments/2075/Reentry_Best_Practices_Publication-1.pdf?1296149357 Year: 2004 Country: United States URL: http://www.asca.net/system/assets/attachments/2075/Reentry_Best_Practices_Publication-1.pdf?1296149357 Shelf Number: 122320 Keywords: Community-based CorrectionsCorrectional ProgramsDrug Abuse TreatmentMental Health ServicesPrisoner Reentry (U.S.)Rehabilitation |
Author: Illinois Community Safety and Reentry Commission Title: Inside Out: A Plan to Reduce Recidivism and Improve Public Safety Summary: Communities in Illinois and nationwide are reeling from a revolving criminal justice door. The cycle of crime, punishment, and reoffending is a major public safety issue, and without intervention is bound to accelerate if recidivism rates remain at near record highs and record numbers continue to be released from state prison. Illinois’s prison population more than doubled from 1988 through 2001, largely due to incarceration rates among drug-involved offenders. Without positive intervention, more than one-half of the record nearly 40,000 inmates estimated to be released from state prisons this fiscal year will be back in prison within three years — after committing new crimes, finding new victims, or violating their parole. No one knows this better than the families in the hardest hit communities in Illinois. In 2005, the vast majority (82%) of the formerly incarcerated returned to just ten regions in the state. These communities also suffer some of the highest poverty and crime rates. Therefore, in addition to increased risk of becoming a crime victim, residents of these communities are losing family members to the vicious cycle of drugs, crime, and incarceration. The family, community, and statewide toll of crime is only compounded when a formerly incarcerated individual, lacking supports and jobs, commits another crime and returns to prison. When Governor Rod Blagojevich was first elected, he announced that his administration would spearhead a comprehensive public safety initiative to roll back the state’s recidivism rate, which had been climbing for more than a decade, standing in 2004 at over 54 percent, a historic high. In other words, for every two inmates released, one committed another crime and returned to prison, likely within a year of release. The costs of this revolving door of incarceration to the community and to the state — which spent $3 billion over 16 years, primarily in the 1990s, to build, operate, repair, and maintain new state prisons and expand their capacity — are simply too high to sustain. Funds are far better spent breaking this vicious cycle than supporting it. Under Governor Blagojevich’s leadership, the state has taken strong steps to stem this flood, including instituting several innovative programs, such as the Sheridan National Model Drug Prison and Reentry Program (which aims to be the largest state prison and comprehensive reentry program in the nation dedicated to inmates with substance abuse issues; the program focuses its efforts both in prison and during a highly supervised and supported return to the community) and Operation Spotlight Parole Reform Initiative (a long-term plan to dramatically increase the number of parole agents, improve case management, tighten parole supervision to emphasize risk reduction and expand community-based resources that help reduce crime). These efforts are seeing early, promising results. Among graduates of the Sheridan Program within its first two years, recidivism rates were nearly 40 percent lower than comparison groups. In addition, the Operation Spotlight Initiative has already helped to reduce new crimes among all of the state’s parolees to the lowest levels in state history. In part, thanks to these and other initiatives, the state’s overall three-year recidivism rate has declined to 51 percent. However, much more remains to be done to maintain the momentum. Details: Springfield, IL: Community Safety and Reentry Commission, 2007. 204p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 9, 2011 at: http://www.idoc.state.il.us/subsections/reports/other/Governor's%20%20Reentry%20Commission%20Report%20FINAL.pdf Year: 2007 Country: United States URL: http://www.idoc.state.il.us/subsections/reports/other/Governor's%20%20Reentry%20Commission%20Report%20FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 122338 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsPrisoner Reentry (Illinois)RecidivismRehabilitation |
Author: Minnesota. Department of Corrections Title: Prison-Based Chemical Dependency Treatment in Minnesota: An Outcome Evaluation Summary: Using a retrospective quasi-experimental design, this study evaluates the effectiveness of CD treatment provided within the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) by comparing recidivism outcomes between treated and untreated offenders released from prison in 2005. As discussed later in more detail, propensity score matching (PSM) was used to individually match the untreated offenders with those who received CD treatment. Similar to the instrumental variable and Heckman approaches used by Pelissier and colleagues (2001), PSM is a method designed to control for selection bias. More specifically, PSM minimizes the threat of selection bias by creating a comparison group whose probability of entering treatment was similar to that of the treatment group. Although PSM has been used in at least one recent study on community-based CD treatment (Krebs, Strom, Koetse, and Lattimore, 2008), this study is one of the first to use it in a prison-based treatment evaluation. In addition to PSM, this study attempts to further control for rival causal factors by analyzing the data with Cox regression, which is widely regarded as the most appropriate multivariate statistical technique for recidivism analyses. Moreover, by comparing 926 treated offenders with a matched group of 926 untreated offenders, the sample size used for this study (N = 1,852) is one of the larger prison-based CD treatment studies to date. Finally, to achieve a more complete understanding of the effects of prison-based treatment, multiple treatment and recidivism measures were used. Despite these strengths, there are several limitations worth noting. First, in measuring the effectiveness of CD treatment, the two most common outcome measures are substance abstention and criminal recidivism. Although abstention is an important and arguably more sensitive measure of CD treatment effectiveness, data on post-release substance use were not IV criteria for substance abuse. Among the criteria for abuse are problems at work or school, not taking care of personal responsibilities, financial problems, engaging in dangerous behavior while intoxicated, legal problems, problems at home or in relationships, and continued use despite experiencing problems. The criteria for dependence, meanwhile, include increased tolerance; withdrawal symptoms; greater use than intended over a relatively long period of time, inability to cut down or quit; a lot of time spent acquiring, using, or recovering from use; missing important family, work, or social activities; and knowledge that continued use would exacerbate a serious medical or psychological condition. Although the vast majority of newly-admitted offenders are considered to be CD abusive or dependent, not all treatment-directed offenders have the opportunity to participate in prison-based treatment since the number of treatment-directed offenders (nearly 3,000 annually) exceeds the number of treatment beds available (about 1,800 annually). The DOC currently uses information relating to offender needs and recidivism risk in prioritizing inmates for treatment. This information, however, was not routinely considered from 2002-2005, the period of time covered in this study. Rather, among offenders directed to treatment, prioritization decisions were based primarily on the amount of time remaining to serve. Offenders with shorter lengths of time until their release from prison were often selected over those with more time to serve. During the 2002-2005 period, the DOC provided CD programming to both male and female offenders in six of the ten state facilities that house adult inmates. Although there are variations among the different programs provided at each facility, all of the CD treatment offered by the DOC is modeled on TC concepts. Housed separately from the rest of the prison population, offenders admitted to treatment were involved in 15-25 hours of programming per week. The CD programs, which maintained a staff-to-inmate ratio of 1:15, emphasized each offender’s personal responsibility for identifying and acknowledging criminal and addictive thinking and behavior. Moreover, the CD programming generally included educational material that addressed the signs and symptoms of CD, the effects of drug use on the body, the effects of chemical use on family and relationships, and the dangers of drug abuse. In addition to completing an autobiography that focused on prior chemical use, program participants completed work relating to relapse prevention. The DOC offered short-term (90 days), medium-term (180 days), and long-term (365 days) CD programming during the 2002-2005 period. The short-term programs, which were primarily psycho-educational with minimal individual counseling, emphasized the relationship between substance abuse issues and criminal behavior. Participants in these programs were expected to increase their level of active participation as they progressed through the program. The medium- and long-term programs, on the other hand, included education, individual counseling, and group counseling components. Therefore, aside from program duration, the main distinction between the short-term programs and the medium- and longterm programs was that the former contained little emphasis on individual or group counseling, primarily due to the relatively short period of time over which to deliver the programming. In 2006, the DOC refocused its CD programs to long-term treatment of at least six months or more. The decision to discontinue the short-term programming was due, in part, to evidence which seemed to suggest that short-term programs are not as effective as ones that are longer in duration (Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor, 2006). More specifically, in its report on substance abuse treatment across the state, the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor found that recidivism rates for short-term program participants were higher than those for offenders who participated in medium- and long-term programs. However, the simple bivariate analyses performed by the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor did not control for factors known to affect recidivism (e.g., criminal history, age at release, institutional disciplinary history, type of offense, etc.). Therefore, rather than demonstrating that short-term treatment is less effective, the higher recidivism rates for short-term participants may simply reflect that they had, in comparison to the medium- and long-term participants, a greater risk of reoffense prior to entering treatment. Details: St. Paul, MN: Minnesota Department of Corrections, 2010. 40p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 12, 2011 at: http://www.doc.state.mn.us/publications/documents/03-10CDTXEvaluationReport_Revised.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.doc.state.mn.us/publications/documents/03-10CDTXEvaluationReport_Revised.pdf Shelf Number: 122374 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsDrug Offenders (Minnesota)Drug TreatmentRecidivism |
Author: Minnesota. Department of Corrections Title: An Outcome Evaluation of MINNCOR's EMPLOY Program Summary: This study evaluated the effectiveness of EMPLOY, a prisoner reentry employment program, by examining recidivism and post-release employment outcomes among 464 offenders released from Minnesota prisons between 2006 and 2008. Because outcome data were collected on the 464 offenders through the end of June 2010, the average follow-up period was 28 months. Observable selection bias was minimized by using propensity score matching to create a comparison group of 232 non-participants who were not significantly different from the 232 EMPLOY offenders. Results from the Cox regression analyses revealed that participating in EMPLOY reduced the hazard ratio for recidivism by 32-63 percent. The findings further showed that EMPLOY increased the odds of gaining post-release employment by 72 percent. Although EMPLOY did not have a significant impact on hourly wage, the overall post-release wages for program participants were significantly higher because they worked a greater number of hours. The study concludes by discussing the implications of these findings. Details: St. Paul, MN: Minnesota Department of Corrections, 2011. 34p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 12, 2011 at: http://www.doc.state.mn.us/publications/documents/03-11EMPLOYEvaluation.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.doc.state.mn.us/publications/documents/03-11EMPLOYEvaluation.pdf Shelf Number: 122375 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsEmploymentEx-Offenders, EmploymentPrisoner Reentry (Minnesota)Recidivism |
Author: Minnesota. Department of Corrections Title: Chemical Dependency Program Evaluation Summary: Substance use figures prominently not only in criminal offending but has also been implicated in the rise of the prison population since the 1980s. From 2002-2007, drug and felony driving while intoxicated (DWI) offenders accounted for 53 percent of the prison population growth within Minnesota. As the volume of drug and DWI offenders entering prison has increased, so, too, has the number of inmates diagnosed as chemically dependent and/or abusive who are in need of chemical dependency (CD) treatment. Using a retrospective quasi-experimental design, this report evaluates the efficacy of CD treatment in Minnesota Department of Corrections (MNDOC) facilities by comparing recidivism rates between offenders who participated in treatment (treatment group) with those who did not (comparison group). Both the treatment and comparison groups contained offenders who were admitted to prison after 2001, directed to CD treatment, and released during 2005. The comparison group consists of 1,096 offenders who were closely matched to the 1,164 offenders in the treatment group on the characteristics used in the statistical analyses. Of the 1,164 offenders in the treatment group, most (N = 671) participated in short-term (i.e., 90 days) treatment programs. Because short-term programs were discontinued by the MNDOC in 2006, this study also assesses the efficacy of medium- and long-term CD programming by comparing reoffense rates between the 493 medium- and long-term treatment participants with a carefully matched comparison group of 493 non-participants. Recidivism — the outcome measure in this study — was quantified as both a felony reconviction and as a reincarceration for a new offense. Results • Of the 1,164 offenders who participated in CD treatment (i.e., the treatment group), 72 percent completed treatment or successfully participated until release. o Results showed that the odds of completing treatment were significantly lower for offenders with discipline convictions, but were significantly higher for female offenders, offenders with longer lengths of stay, and offenders who participated in short-term treatment programs. • At the end of the follow-up period, offenders who participated in CD treatment had significantly lower rates of felony reconviction (15%) and reincarceration (8%) than the comparison group, whose rates were 19 percent for reconvictions and 12 percent for reincarcerations for a new offense. o Regarding treatment outcome, the lowest recidivism rates were found for offenders who successfully participated until release, followed by those who completed treatment. Offenders who quit treatment had the highest recidivism rates. o Regarding program duration, offenders who participated in medium-term programs had the lowest recidivism rates, whereas the highest rates were found for those who entered short-term programs. • Results from the multivariate statistical analyses showed that participation in CD treatment significantly decreased the risk of time to reoffense, reducing it by 23 percent for reconvictions and 31 percent for reincarcerations. • A successful treatment outcome significantly reduced the risk of time to reoffense, decreasing it by 26 percent for reconvictions and 36 percent for reincarcerations. • Similar results were found for the analyses that examined the impact of medium- and long-term CD treatment on recidivism. o Participation in a medium- or long-term CD treatment program reduced the risk of time to reoffense by 30 percent for reconvictions and 42 percent for reincarcerations. o A successful outcome in a medium- or long-term treatment program decreased the risk of time to reoffense by 46 percent for reconvictions and 49 percent for reincarcerations. The results presented in this study suggest that the risk of recidivism is reduced significantly for offenders who participate in prison-based CD treatment, particularly among those with a successful treatment outcome. There are a few limitations with this study, however, that bear consideration. First, in focusing exclusively on recidivism, this evaluation did not include substance abstention as an outcome measure and, thus, may not have fully captured the full effects of CD programming. Second, given the importance of providing a continuum of care from the institution to the community, aftercare programming is considered to be an essential component of effective CD treatment. But due to the absence of post-release treatment data, it is unclear as to whether variations in the extent to which offenders participated in aftercare may have affected the findings presented here. By collecting data on substance use and aftercare programming in the community, research currently being conducted by the MNDOC may eventually shed light on these issues. Details: St. Paul, MN: Minnesota Department of Corrections, 2008. 30p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 12, 2011 at: http://www.doc.state.mn.us/publications/documents/03-08CDRecidivismEvaluation.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: http://www.doc.state.mn.us/publications/documents/03-08CDRecidivismEvaluation.pdf Shelf Number: 114920 Keywords: -Driving While IntoxicatedCorrectional ProgramsDriving Under the InfluenceDrug Offenders (Minnesota)Drug Treatment, PrisonersDrunk DrivingRecidivism |
Author: Wilson, Kate J. Title: Literature Review: Wraparound Services for Juvenile and Adult Offender Populations Summary: It has long been recognized that prison inmates reentering the community often face multiple problems across diverse life domains — not simply issues related to employment, financial stability, and secure housing — but struggles with substance abuse, mental and physical health problems, and issues related to family reunification. Because criminal justice agencies alone cannot provide for the range of services an offender is likely to need during the short- and long-term process of reentry, it is thought that coordinated, comprehensive services that break down service-agency barriers and engage community-based providers can genuinely improve individual outcomes when key elements are addressed (Haimowitz, 2004; Lawrence et al., 2002; Rossman, 2001; Taxman et al., 2000). California’s recently passed Assembly Bill 900 (AB 900), which is designed to provide 53,000 additional beds to California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s (CDCR) adult State prison and jail system, also stresses the need to provide rehabilitative services to inmates. AB 900 specifically provides for the establishment of reentry program facilities in which offenders can receive risk and needs assessments, case management services, and wraparound services that provide a continuity of support between custody and parole. The purpose of the current report is to review extant research literature on the efficacy of wraparound services as applied to the community reentry of adult offender populations. The report begins by defining wraparound services and then provides an overview of evaluations of the wraparound approach conducted in other social service areas and with populations other than adult offenders. Unfortunately, research on wraparound services for adult offenders is, at the current time, scarce to nonexistent. Nevertheless, both the theory behind wraparound services and the evaluations that have been conducted with juvenile populations provide insight into the strengths and possible benefits of such an approach. Details: Davis, CA: Center for Public Policy Research, University of California, Davis, 2008. 17p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 22, 2011 at: http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/Adult_Research_Branch/Research_Documents/Wraparound_Services_UCDAVIS_Jan_2008.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/Adult_Research_Branch/Research_Documents/Wraparound_Services_UCDAVIS_Jan_2008.pdf Shelf Number: 122442 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsJuvenile Offenders, RehabilitationPrisoner Reentry |
Author: Day, Andrew Title: Assessing the Social Climate of Australian Prisons Summary: Although in some ways communities appear to be increasingly more risk aversive and punitive in their attitudes toward offenders, the development and proliferation of a range of rehabilitation programs that aim to address the problems that lead to offending represents an important component of contemporary criminal justice policy in Australia. This research is based on the premise that the social climate of a prison will exert a profound influence on rehabilitative outcomes. In this paper, the authors present their validation of the Essen Climate Evaluation Schema (EssenCES) measure of prison social climates and the findings offer further support for measuring and identifying the means by which a prison’s social climate can be assessed. It is proposed that the measure be routinely used to audit the social climate of a prison or prison unit on an annual basis. This would enable changes over time to be assessed, standards and targets set, and the need for additional resources or interventions identified and responded to. Further research is required to establish how a social climate might be modified or changed in a way that would enhance rehabilitative outcomes. Details: Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2011. 6p. Source: Internet Resource: Trends & Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice no. 427: Accessed September 3, 2011 at: http://www.aic.gov.au/documents/2/2/D/%7B22D2E61A-6308-4F18-AF3D-285723ED618E%7Dtandi427.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aic.gov.au/documents/2/2/D/%7B22D2E61A-6308-4F18-AF3D-285723ED618E%7Dtandi427.pdf Shelf Number: 122613 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsPrisoner RehabilitationPrisonersPrisons (Australia) |
Author: Edgar, Kimmett Title: Time Well Spent: A Practical Guide to Active Citizenship and Volunteering in Prison Summary: There is a huge scope for prisoners to take on responsibility, engage in constructive work, and contribute to the life of the prison community. We describe these roles as active citizenship. Examples include volunteering, peer support, charity work, and prisoner representative duties. We define active citizenship as follows: Prisoners are active citizens when they exercise responsibility by making positive contributions to prison life or the wider community. Main findings -- There are five types of active citizenship roles in prisons: • Peer support schemes, whereby prisoners help and support their fellow-prisoners • Community support schemes involving work with or on behalf of people outside the prison • Restorative justice programmes, whereby prisoners are encouraged to acknowledge the harm they have caused and to make amends • Democratic participation in prison life, for example involving membership of prisoner councils or other forums • Arts and media projects such as prison-based radio-stations or newspapers, or performing arts programmes. This report is based on evidence derived from a survey of prisons and interviews with prisoners and staff involved in active citizenship schemes. It documents the imaginative and effective work that has been pioneered in some prisons. Most prisons, from young offender institutions to high security prisons, provide opportunities for prisoners to be active citizens. Prison staff have demonstrated their expertise in managing risk by developing an array of roles and activities for prisoners that bring out the best in them. Details: London: Prison Reform Trust, 2011. 74p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 3, 2011 at: http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/Time%20Well%20Spent%20report%20lo.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/Time%20Well%20Spent%20report%20lo.pdf Shelf Number: 122646 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsInmate Volunteer ProgramsPrisoner RehabilitationPrisoner Volunteer ProgramsPrisons (U.K.) |
Author: California State Auditor. Bureau of State Audits Title: Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation: The Benefits of Its Correctional Offender Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions Program Are Uncertain Summary: The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (Corrections) intends to use the Correctional Offender Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions (COMPAS) software to help identify factors that cause inmates to commit crimes, so they can participate in such rehabilitative programs as substance abuse treatment or vocational education to reduce their likelihood of reoffending, thereby reducing overcrowding in the State’s prisons. California’s high recidivism rates and difficulties with prison overcrowding are well documented. In its October 2010 outcome evaluation report, Corrections reported that 67.5 percent of all felons released during fiscal year 2005–06 returned to prison within three years. Further, in May 2011 the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling upholding the authority of a lower court to require that California reduce its inmate population to 137.5 percent of the design capacity of its correctional institutions. As of June 30, 2011, Corrections had more than 144,000 inmates in its various institutions, which were designed to accommodate only 80,000. However, the prospects that COMPAS will play a meaningful role in helping Corrections ultimately reduce prison overcrowding and lower its recidivism rates are, at best, uncertain. Corrections uses gender-specific versions of two different COMPAS assessments. The COMPAS core assessment identifies the needs of inmates entering the prison system, while the COMPAS reentry assessment evaluates inmates who are about to reenter society on parole. Our review found Corrections’ use of COMPAS during its parole planning process is not consistently enforced, while its use in reception centers — where inmates are initially evaluated and assigned to a prison — does not appear to affect decisions on prison assignments and, by extension, the rehabilitative programs inmates might access at those facilities. Corrections’ process at its 12 reception centers for assigning inmates to prisons is complex and considers factors such as an inmate’s history of violence, medical needs, gang affiliations, and the available bed space at suitable facilities that can accommodate the inmate’s security requirements. Our observations at one reception center and discussions with Corrections’ staff at seven others revealed that prison assignments are often not based on COMPAS. Instead, the inmate’s security level and the weekly placement restrictions imposed by Corrections’ Population Management Unit — the unit responsible for coordinating inmate movement within the prison system — are the primary determinants of prison assignment. Details: Sacramento: California State Auditor, 2011. 59p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 10, 2011 at: http://www.bsa.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/2010-124.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.bsa.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/2010-124.pdf Shelf Number: 122680 Keywords: -Prison AdministrationCorrectional InstitutionsCorrectional ProgramsParolePrison Over-crowdingPrisoner RehabilitationPrisons (California)Recidivism |
Author: Gehring, Krista S. Title: “What Works” for Female Probationers? An Evaluation of the Moving On Program Summary: Female offenders represent a growing percentage of the criminal justice population in the United States. For example, between 1997 and 2007, the number of women on probation increased from 524,200 to 987,427 (Bureau of Justice Statistics [BJS], 1998; 2008). This represents an 88 percent increase over the span of a decade. During that same time-period, the percentage increase for male probationers was only 21 percent. The increasing numbers of women offenders and the scarcity of programs and services geared toward their needs have prompted criminal justice professionals to consider implementing gender-responsive programs (Bloom, 2000). Historically, failure to provide gender-specific programming for women in the system has been justified by the fact that women accounted for only a small percentage of arrests and committed fewer and less serious crimes than men (Morash, Haarr, & Rucker, 1994; Rafter, 1990). However, with the continued increase of women entering the criminal justice system since the 1970s, this excuse is no longer valid. Since traditionally much focus has been on the overwhelming numbers of males in the criminal and justice system, programs developed to service this population often have failed to develop options to address the gender-specific problems of women offenders (Bloom, 2000). Despite the focus on male offenders, programs have emerged that address the gendered risks and needs of women offenders. Women who enter into the system often have significant program needs such as histories of trauma and abuse, mental health issues, substance abuse, parenting issues, and relationship issues (Covington, 2000; McClellan, Farabee, & Crouch, 1997; Van Voorhis and Hardyman, 2001; Van Voorhis, Salisbury, Wright, and Bauman, 2008). As such, it is important to discover whether programs that address these needs are effective in reducing recidivism. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of research on the effectiveness of these new program models (Bloom, 2000). To help address the gap in this literature, the current study is the first to examine the effectiveness of the gender-responsive, cognitive behavioral, program Moving On. A demonstration of treatment effects for this program would have important implications for the management and treatment of women offenders in the future. Details: Cincinnati, OH: University of Cincinnati, Division of Criminal Justice, 2010(?). 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 29, 2011 at: http://www.uc.edu/womenoffenders/MOVING%20ON.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.uc.edu/womenoffenders/MOVING%20ON.pdf Shelf Number: 122941 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsFemale InmatesFemale OffendersGender-Specific Treatment Programs |
Author: Johnson, Hanna Title: Unlocking Value: The Economic Benefit of the Arts in Criminal Justice Summary: Re-offending costs the government between £9.5bn and £13bn each year. Two in five adult prisoners are convicted again within a year of release. Yet many charities are successfully harnessing the transformative power of art to help reduce these numbers. The arts have long been used to help rehabilitate offenders or improve the life chances of those at risk of getting involved in crime. There are plenty of stories of people whose lives have been changed by their involvement with arts organisations, yet arts charities traditionally struggle to provide hard evidence of the difference their work makes. The criminal justice sector in particular is often targets-driven, and arts charities working with prisoners and ex-offenders are under increasing pressure to provide evidence of their impact. This report looks at three charities using art to work with prisoners and ex-offenders: Clean Break, Only Connect and Unitas. It calculates the money these charities' work saves the criminal justice system, putting forward the economic case for investment in arts charities. Details: London: New Philanthropy Capital, 2011. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 28, 2011 at: http://www.philanthropycapital.org/publications/community/unlocking_value.aspx Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.philanthropycapital.org/publications/community/unlocking_value.aspx Shelf Number: 123158 Keywords: Art TherapyArts in PrisonsArts ProgramsCorrectional ProgramsInmate Art ProgramsPrisoner Rehabilitation |
Author: Ferris, Melanie Title: Dodge-Fillmore-Olmsted Methamphetamine Treatment Project: July 2006-December 2007 evaluation report Summary: The Dodge-Fillmore-Olmsted Methamphetamine Treatment Project is a corrections-based treatment program comprised of three treatment components, a jail-based pre-treatment program and gender-specific outpatient treatment programs. This evaluation report describes the characteristics of the clients served through the program and changes in key outcomes for individuals who participated in the program over an 18-month period. Details: St. Paul, MN: Wilder Research, 2008. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 1, 2011 at: http://www.wilder.org/download.0.html?report=2081 Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: http://www.wilder.org/download.0.html?report=2081 Shelf Number: 123193 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsDrug Abuse TreatmentMethamphetamine AbuseSubstance Abuse TreatmentTreatment Programs |
Author: Prendergast, Michael Title: Final Report on the UCLA-ISAP Evaluation of the 1,000 Bed Expansion of Therapeutic Community Treatment Programs for Prisoners Summary: This report summarizes the quantitative results of UCLA Integration Substance Abuse Programs 5-year process evaluation of the California Department of Corrections (CDC) 1,000-bed expansion of therapeutic community (TC) Programs for prisoners. The process evaluation was conducted over the full 5-year term of the evaluation study and involved the collection and analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data. This report only presents quantitative process findings related to client characteristics, treatment participation (in-prison and aftercare) and return-to-custody rates. Details: Los Angeles: UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs (ISAP), 2003. 33p. Source: Report Available at the Don M. Gottfredson Library of Criminal Justice, Rutgers University Year: 2003 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 123239 Keywords: Alcohol Treatment ProgramsCorrectional ProgramsDrug Abuse and CrimeDrug OffendersRecidivismSubstance Abuse Treatment (California) |
Author: Neal, Rosemary A. Title: URICA: Assessing Readiness to Change among Male Offenders at Intake Summary: The University of Rhode Island Change Assessment (URICA) is a self-assessment tool designed to measure the level of an individual's motivation to modify their behavior as they progress through a process known as the stages of change. In the present study, the stages of change included precontemplation, contemplation, action, and maintenance phases. This research investigated the readiness to change behavior among male offenders at intake at the Oregon Department of Corrections based on the stages of change approach. Details: Monmouth, OR: Western Oregon University, 2011. 54p. Source: Internet Resource: Master's Essay: Accessed November 29, 2011 at: http://www.oregon.gov/DOC/RESRCH/docs/URICA.pdf?ga=t Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.oregon.gov/DOC/RESRCH/docs/URICA.pdf?ga=t Shelf Number: 123459 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsInmatesOffenders (Oregon)PrisonersRehabilitation |
Author: New Hampshire State Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Title: Unequal Treatment: Women Incarcerated in New Hampshire's State Prison System Summary: The New Hampshire Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) submits this report, "Unequal Treatment: Women Incarcerated in New Hampshire's State Prison System" as part of its responsibility to advise the Commission on civil rights issues in the state. The Advisory Committee concludes that New Hampshire's Department of Corrections faces a nearly insurmountable challenge in meeting many of the important needs of its female inmate population. The failure of the state to provide comparable services in these respects seriously affects the ability of women offenders to maintain appropriate family relationships, impairs their mental and physical health, and inhibits their ability to prepare for productive and self-supporting work upon their eventual release from incarceration. The exceptionally high recidivism rate for female offenders in New Hampshire among the only states in the country with a recidivism rate for women that exceeds the comparable rate for men is a powerful testament to the high cost that the state pays for its failure to address unequal conditions of confinement faced by female offenders. Details: Washington DC: U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 2011. Source: Internet Resource: Briefing Report: Accessed on December 8, 2011 at: http://www.usccr.gov/pubs/Unequal_Treatment_WomenIncarceratedinNHStatePrisonSystem.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.usccr.gov/pubs/Unequal_Treatment_WomenIncarceratedinNHStatePrisonSystem.pdf Shelf Number: 123506 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsCorrectionsPrisoner HealthWomen Prisoners (New Hampshire) |
Author: Iowa Department of Human Rights, Division of Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning,Statistical Analysis Center Title: Process and Outcome Evaluation of the Iowa First Judicial District Department of Correctional Services Dual Diagnosis Offender Program (DDOP) Summary: This study consists of a process and outcome evaluation of the First Judicial District’s Dual Diagnosis Offender Program (DDOP). The study was supported by Byrne funds through the Iowa Office of Drug Control Policy, which provided partial support for DDOP operation. The purposes of the study were to: explain the context of the program, its history and funding sources; depict the program staff; describe the program and activities; portray the beneficiaries of the program and describe who completes it; describe changes to the program; and assess participants and a comparison group on measures such as recidivism, substance abuse relapse, and justice system costs. Program The Dual Diagnosis Offender Program (DDOP) is delivered by the First District Department of Correctional Services. The residential portion is housed at the Waterloo Residential Correctional Facility and consists of a 16–bed unit for male offenders. The program began in 1998 and was created to fill a void in services for criminally-involved dual-diagnosed individuals. The goal of DDOP is to divert clients from incarceration and crime and enhance coordination of criminal justice and mental health services for the target population. The program provides integrated substance abuse and mental health group and individual treatment, which empirical research has identified as being an effective treatment model. The program also incorporates other elements that have been identified in the literature as being effective for dually-diagnosed offenders. Staff DDOP staff had varying educational and professional backgrounds and years of experience, a reflection of a program with a multidisciplinary team. Most staff had at least a Bachelor’s degree and professional background in human services or counseling with roughly half being with DDOP for up to five years. Program Clients Between January 1, 2001 and September 30, 2007, 236 males were admitted to the DDOP. Offenders were court ordered into the program for a minimum of six months and a maximum of one year. Participants spent an average of about five months in the residential program, with about 60% completing the residential program. The average participant at entry was 32 years old, white (71.6%), unmarried (86.0%) and had a GED or high school diploma (61.4%). Most had a prior prison admission (56.8%) and were under supervision for a felony (73.3%). Over one-third reported poly-drug usage (35.2%). Among the 73.3% of participants for whom data on chronic mental illnesses were available, 78% had a serious mental illness. The average score on the Level of Service Inventory-Revised (LSI-R) was 37.3, in the moderate/high risk category, with relatively high average sub-scores on alcohol/drugs (6.0 out of 9) and emotional/personal (4.5 out of 5) indicators. DDOP Study Group The DDOP study group included all offenders who started the program after January 1, 2001 and were discharged by September 30, 2005 (n= 144). The matched “comparison group” was comprised of individuals who entered community supervision between January 1, 2001 and December 30, 2005 (n=106). While there were some differences in characteristics between the study and comparison groups, they were sufficiently similar to permit valid comparisons. Outcomes The DDOP study group and comparison group were tracked for the three years following their entry to DDOP or community supervision. Outcome measures included recidivism and substance abuse relapse. Justice system costs were also tracked for a three year time period for the groups. Generally, on recidivism measures, the DDOP study group completers had outcomes similar to the comparison group, while non-completers fared worse. 70.9% of the completers and 73.6% of the comparison group had a new conviction compared to 86.2% of the non-completers. 19.8% of the completers and 17.9% of the comparison group had a new felony compared to 37.9% of the non-completers. 48.8% of the completers and 42.5% of the comparison group returned to prison compared to 98.3% of the non-completers. On relapse measures, the DDOP study group completers and non-completers showed similar outcomes, while the comparison group fared worse. Half of the completers and 41.1% of the non-completers had a positive drug test, compared to 64.7% of the comparison group. 18.6% of the completers and 17.2% of the non-completers had a new drug conviction, compared to 25.5% of the comparison group. 62.8% of the completers and 55.2% of the non-completers had a positive drug test or a new drug or alcohol conviction, compared to 71.7% of the comparison group. In terms of justice systems costs, DDOP non-completers had the highest three-year supervision costs, followed by DDOP completers. Longer-term study is necessary to determine the true financial impact of the program. Race Outcomes suggested that white and non-white DDOP participants benefitted equally from the program. This is noteworthy because non-whites tend to have higher rates of failure than whites in most correctional programming. There were considerable differences in outcome measures between non-white DDOP clients and their comparison group counterparts. Details: Des Moines, IA: Iowa Department of Human Rights, 2011. 60p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 10, 2012 at: http://www.humanrights.iowa.gov/cjjp/images/pdf/DualDiagnosisOffenderProgram.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.humanrights.iowa.gov/cjjp/images/pdf/DualDiagnosisOffenderProgram.pdf Shelf Number: 123536 Keywords: Alternatives to IncarcerationCorrectional ProgramsDrug Offenders (Iowa)Mentally Ill OffendersOffender TreatmentRecidivism |
Author: Reichert, Jessica Title: Community Re-entry After Prison Drug Treatment: Learning from Sheridan Therapeutic Community Program Participants Summary: The Sheridan Correctional Center National Model Drug Prison and Reentry Program is a drug treatment program providing in-prison substance abuse treatment as well as substance abuse treatment upon release. Prior research has shown reductions in recidivism among Sheridan participants compared to other prisoners. This study examined a group of 50 re-incarcerated men who successfully completed the in-prison phase of the Sheridan program and what led to their re-incarceration. Among this sample, positive findings about the Sheridan program and its participants include: • Sixty-two percent stated they were Very engaged in the Sheridan program. • Slightly more than half (60 percent) felt Sheridan prepared them for success after release. • Over three-fourths (76 percent) indicated they had a job at some point after graduating Sheridan and before their re-incarceration. • A majority (84 percent) reported having little difficulty in finding housing. • Most (86 percent) said Sheridan helped them more than a traditional prison. Other notable findings include: • On average, Sheridan graduates in this study spent 738 days (about two years) in the community before returning to IDOC. The range was 40 to 2,096 days (over five-and-a-half years). • A majority of the men in our sample (90 percent) relapsed into drug or alcohol use after their release from Sheridan. • Slightly more than half (56 percent) of the sample reported they had illegal sources of income. • Sixty-eight 68 percent stated drug dealing was common in the neighborhood they lived in after release. This study found many factors associated with length of time to relapse to drug or alcohol use and recidivism (self-reported criminal activity or re-incarceration) including: • Younger participants engaged in criminal activity and relapsed sooner than older participants. Younger participants also reported being less engaged in the Sheridan program than older participants. • After prison, those who returned to their original neighborhood relapsed sooner than those who did not return to their original neighborhood. • Unemployed participants engaged in criminal activity sooner than employed participants. • Those living in neighborhoods that were perceived as unsafe and/or where drug dealing was common relapsed sooner than those living in safer, lower-risk neighborhoods. • Those who reported spending time with persons who engage in risky activities—substance use and/or criminal activity—relapsed sooner than those who did not spend time with persons engaging in risky activities. • Those with gang involvement engaged in criminal activity and relapsed sooner. • Those who did not complete aftercare engaged in criminal activity and relapsed sooner than those who did complete aftercare. Details: Chicago: Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, 2012. 87p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 19, 2012 at: http://www.icjia.org/public/pdf/ResearchReports/Reentry_Sheridan_Report_012012.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.icjia.org/public/pdf/ResearchReports/Reentry_Sheridan_Report_012012.pdf Shelf Number: 123667 Keywords: AftercareCorrectional ProgramsDrug OffendersDrug TreatmentPrisoner Reentry (Illinois)RecidivismRehabilitation |
Author: Prisoners' Education Trust Title: Brain Cells: Listening to prisoner learners Summary: Being in prison is tough. Yet, it does offer opportunities for those prisoners who want to reform and find a path towards a crime-free life. One of the key areas of opportunity is in prison education. Learning new skills, acquiring new qualifications or knowledge can have a profound impact for those prisoners who engage in education. Education, as this report shows, changes prisoners and enables them to plan a different future for life after release. Providing education and training to meet the needs of all prisoners is extremely demanding. Prisoners come from all walks of life, have a variety of social and life experience and represent all races, cultures and religions. The age range in a prison classroom may vary from 22 to over 70. Some prisoners will have drug or alcohol dependency problems or mental health conditions. More than 50% of male prisoners and more than 66% of female prisoners have no qualifications at all. This might be the result of a traumatic home life, undiagnosed learning difficulties or social alienation. The end result is that many prisoners are likely to have been disproportionately disadvantaged in relation to education and learning before entering the prison system. There are severe problems in making prison education work. Some are the inevitable results of prison regimes which must give priority to security. Others arise from the current levels of overcrowding across the prison estate. Prisoners can be moved at short notice, classes or courses can be interrupted and the same curriculum is not always available at the next prison. Some learning records may not be transferred. Access to books, learning equipment and information and communication technology (ICT) varies from prison to prison. Most prisoners have little access to the telephone, no email communication with tutors and no internet access. Distance learning might be the right option, but it may not be possible to get funding to pay for it. Despite these problems, education happens in prisons and it does work. This report gives a snapshot of attitudes and activities and includes some very positive themes. Prisoners affirm strongly the support they receive from prison education staff. Many prisoners act in voluntary roles supporting other learners with many aiming to continue learning after release. This report also highlights the challenges facing education in prisons. In particular, the need to encourage prison officers in their support for prisoner learning, the need to ensure continuity of learning when prisoners are transferred and the need to make better use of ICT as a tool for learning. The findings in this report are important because they enable us to hear the voice and experience of prisoners themselves. Education cannot and should not be a passive transfer of knowledge. The participation and response of the learner is crucial to its success. So we need to hear what prisoners think and how they experience education inside, finding ways to work with them to make prison education as effective as it can possibly be. Prisoner voice should also be an essential element in framing policy about prisoner learning. They are in a position to give feedback on the effectiveness of present policy and their experience can point out the strengths and weaknesses of what is provided. This report is a contribution towards building a constructive, lively and robust account of how prisoners view education inside. Details: Surrey: Prisoners' Education Trust, 2009. 30p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 7, 2012 at http://www.prisonerseducation.org.uk/fileadmin/user_upload/doc/Learning_Matters/BRAIN_CELLS._THE_REPORT.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.prisonerseducation.org.uk/fileadmin/user_upload/doc/Learning_Matters/BRAIN_CELLS._THE_REPORT.pdf Shelf Number: 124010 Keywords: Correctional EducationCorrectional ProgramsMentoringPrisoners (U.K.) |
Author: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Title: Making Prisons Work: Skills for Rehabilitation - Review of Offender Learning Summary: Re-offending blights lives and communities, carrying personal, social and economic costs of between £9.5 billion and £13 billion a year. Enabling offenders to have the skills that will make them attractive to employers so that they can find and keep jobs on release or whilst serving a community sentence – becoming an asset rather than a burden to society – makes sense. Whilst our investment in giving offenders the skills they need to help them get and keep jobs is significant, it is a fraction of the prize on offer to all of us if we can prevent the creation of future victims of crime, with the associated economic and social costs, by cutting their reoffending. Skills for Sustainable Growth set out the reforms that will help bring renewed economic growth, improve people’s chances to achieve social mobility, secure greater social justice, and build the Big Society. It recognised that learners need help with support and information to make the right decisions about their future. For offenders, those decisions must be focussed on developing the skills and aptitudes that will secure employment, helping to put offenders on the right path. Breaking the Cycle: Effective Punishment, Rehabilitation and Sentencing of Offenders puts work for offenders at the centre of punishment and rehabilitation, both in custody and the community and, like Skills for Sustainable Growth, enables decision-making and accountability to move decisively away from the centre of government. Both documents put a premium on local-level autonomy and on local-level discretion. This review of offender learning takes us down the same path, setting out our view that we will achieve the most effective results by making offender learning an authentic part of the skills and employment systems that operate at that same local level. Details: London: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, 2011. 33p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 7, 2012 at http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/further-education-skills/docs/m/11-828-making-prisons-work-skills-for-rehabilitation Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/further-education-skills/docs/m/11-828-making-prisons-work-skills-for-rehabilitation Shelf Number: 124019 Keywords: Correctional EducationCorrectional ProgramsOffender Rehabilitation (U.K.)Vocational Education and Training |
Author: Boque, Bradford Title: Motivational Interview in Corrections: A Comprehensive Guide to Implementing MI in Corrections Summary: This guide explains how to implement motivational interviewing (MI) in correctional settings. Motivational Interviewing is a counseling technique that enables people to get beyond their reluctance to change problem behaviors. MI is directive (focused on goals), client-centered, and non-confrontational. The first four chapters of this guide “address background and fundamental issues related to agency or systemwide implementation of MI … [while the last two chapters] address agency issues, such as organizational norms, mental models, and leadership styles that can significantly affect the success of MI implementation”. These chapters are: what MI is; how MI is learned; supervising and coaching to support implementation; assessing motivational interviewing skills; and planning to help individuals develop MI skills in a correctional setting. A glossary is also included. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. National Institute of Corrections, 2012. 82p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 27, 2012 at: http://static.nicic.gov/Library/025556.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://static.nicic.gov/Library/025556.pdf Shelf Number: 124278 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsCorrectionsMotivational InterviewingOffender CounselingOffender Rehabilitation |
Author: Paulhus, Elizabeth Title: Stemming the Tide: The Racial and Economic Impacts of West Virginia's Prison System Summary: Despite a relatively stable crime rate, West Virginia is facing a growing prison population, which currently is larger than the capacity of the existing state prisons. As a result, many state prisoners are being housed in regional jails where they cannot access educational and supportive services offered by the Division of Corrections. With more individuals serving sentences in prison, there is a growing financial burden on the state. This population increase is associated with an increase in prison spending, with a growing percentage of the General Revenue fund going toward the Division of Corrections. Prison population growth and its associated overcrowding are not only criminal justice issues, but also fiscal concerns for West Virginia. This growth in the prison population in a state with little total population growth and a stable crime rate is in part the effect of sentencing patterns that place offenders into prison rather than into alternatives like community corrections and give them long sentences, as well as a reduction in the rate of granting parole. It also is a result of the shift from understanding prison as a place of rehabilitation to one of punishment that accompanied the “war on drugs” and the movement in the 1970s toward harsher sentences and being tough on crime. The growing prison population appears to be mainly the result of structures and policies, rather than an increase in crime. Although overcrowding and housing inmates in regional jails may seem like new issues, they have actually plagued West Virginia for decades, even culminating in several lawsuits. After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the overcrowding in California was unconstitutional, calling it “cruel and unusual,” states like West Virginia are anxious to find solutions to their own overcrowding problems. Although one option recommended during the 2011 legislative interim sessions is the building of a new 1,200- bed medium security prison at a cost of $120 to $200 million (not including annual operating costs), opponents argue that “state governments cannot build their way out of the overcrowding problems.” A better option is to find ways to reduce the prison population by decreasing the number of offenders entering the system and increasing the number exiting from it. West Virginia could consider several options for reducing prison admissions, such as: Expanding drug courts to every county and creating mental health courts. This would ensure that inmates in need of substance use or mental health care treatment would receive it; and Increasing the use of alternative sanctions for technical parole and probation violators. This could take the form of more traditional methods like electronic monitoring and day report centers, or could mean the creation of “halfway back centers” that would provide support services and programs. The state could also reduce the length of time that inmates spend in prison and increase the number exiting from the prison system by: Conducting a comprehensive review of its criminal code and comparing sentencing patterns to those in other states; Seeking ways to increase the number of inmates released to parole, which not only would reduce the prison population but also would give the inmates access to supportive services in their transition back into society; and Expanding its current “good time” credits to include the completion of educational and other programs rather than just simply good behavior. Key findings include: Many state prisoners are being housed in regional jails, where they lack access to various educational and rehabilitative services. In 2009, approximately 20 percent of the Division of Corrections population was housed in regional jails, while an additional seven percent was housed at the Stevens Correctional Center/McDowell County Corrections; Most state prisoners in West Virginia are not high risk. Only 10 percent are classified as maximum security. One in three inmates can work outside the confines of the prison or is eligible for community-based placements; Many state prisoners struggle with mental illness, substance abuse, or the co-occurence of the two. Many of these individuals would benefit more from treatment and rehabilitation than from regular incarceration; African Americans are disproportionately represented in the West Virginia prison system, and are four times more likely than whites to be in prison; The majority of recidivists in West Virginia are picked up for technical parole violations, not new crimes; Only five percent of state prisoners have more than a high school degree, compared with 43 percent of the state as a whole. As such, educational programs for inmates in prison are crucial to help them develop the skills and knowledge to be more competitive workers in the future; The cost of housing an inmate in prison is nearly 20 times greater than putting someone on parole or probation. Yet West Virginia had 6,200 inmates in prison in 2010 and only 1,264 in-state parolees; and West Virginia had the nation’s second highest growth in general revenue spending on corrections between 1990 and 2010. Details: Charleston, West Virginia: West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, 2012. 27p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 20, 2012 at http://www.wvpolicy.org/downloads/PrisonReport022212.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.wvpolicy.org/downloads/PrisonReport022212.pdf Shelf Number: 124610 Keywords: Adult Corrections (West Virginia)Correctional Administration (West Virginia)Correctional ProgramsCorrections ReformDemographic TrendsRacial Disparities |
Author: GHK Title: Prison Education and Training in Europe - A Review and Commentary of Existing Literature, Analysis and Evaluation Summary: In February 2010, a European Conference on Prison Education and Training was held in Budapest. This conference, which was attended by over 200 delegates from 30 European countries, presented an opportunity to identify and share good practices from across Europe and delegates also stated that they had found inspiration for future projects. Nevertheless, a number of challenges and issues faced by prison educators were also highlighted at the event. In particular, issues such as overcrowding, the growing diversity of the prison population, increasing financial constraints and a more competitive job market were highlighted as key challenges at this present time and for the foreseeable future. One of the recommendations from the conference was that research in the area of prison education and training should be greatly expanded, in terms of both the issues addressed and the overall volume of analytical work conducted. In response, the European Commission‟s Directorate General for Education and Culture (DG EAC) commissioned GHK Consulting (GHK) to conduct a review and commentary of previous research, analysis and evaluation from Europe, relating to specific topics of current relevance to the field of prison education and training. An ambitious list of 16 themes was outlined in the original request for services. GHK proposed a revised list of 12 themes (agreed by the client) for an initial mapping exercise and selected four themes for more in-depth review, based on the availability of literature and an assessment of the added value which could be gained by conducting further research into the specific topics. In the future, it may be worth re-visiting the original list of twelve themes to identify where a further review of literature could provide informative results. This final report outlines the key issues emerging from the literature relating to the four topics selected for in-depth review. Three of the sections are based on a review of European literature and documentation, while one section (covering the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and public value of prison education and training) also includes references to literature from the United States, to compensate for the lack of European research and evidence in relation to this specific topic. In addition, a reference list was collated for all of the agreed 12 topics. The list contains a brief description of the documents identified in relation to that topic during the inception phase. Documents from countries within (i.e. European countries) and outside of the scope of the study are included and the lists are separated according to whether the literature is available in the public domain, or not. The list can be found at the end of this document, after the bibliography. It is important to note that this report has certain limitations. The main focus has been on English-language sources, although some documents in other languages (mainly Norwegian and French, as well as some German-language documents) have been taken into account. This does not necessarily mean that the documents reviewed related only to countries where English is the main spoken language (i.e. a number of reports, although written in English, focus on one or more other European countries, but mainly the Nordic countries) although this was of course often the case. Thus the report has a certain „slant‟ towards these countries but this does not necessarily mean that the findings and recommendations are not transferable to others or are not valid at European level. Nevertheless this limitation should be borne in mind when reviewing the report. Details: Birmingham, UK: GHK, 2011. 109p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 16, 2012 at: http://ec.europa.eu/education/grundtvig/doc/conf11/ghk_en.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Europe URL: http://ec.europa.eu/education/grundtvig/doc/conf11/ghk_en.pdf Shelf Number: 125630 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsPrison Education (Europe)Prison RehabilitationPrisoners |
Author: Great Britain. HM Inspectorate of Probation and HM Inspectorate of Prisons Title: Second Aggregate Report on Offender Management in Prisons Summary: This report is the second to be published from our joint Prison Offender Management Inspection programme, in which we have examined how well work with prisoners is being carried out during their time in custody. The assumption underlying the criminal justice system is that imprisonment should not only punish those who have offended by containing them, and thereby provide some form of deterrence to others whilst at the same time protecting the wider community, but also reform them. In order to achieve this, work with individual prisoners needs to address effectively their attitudes, behaviour and lifestyle. We were disappointed to find that, with some notable exceptions, this is not happening to any meaningful extent. Our inspections found that many prisons paid good attention to the ‘resettlement’ needs of the prisoner, i.e. their personal and social circumstances including education, employment, health etc. Such work plays an important part in reducing the likelihood of reoffending on release, but needs to be underpinned by work which encourages and sustains changes in attitudes and behaviour. There are still insufficient places across the prison estate on accredited programmes which deal with thoughts and attitudes. As a result some prisoners, notably sex offenders, are not always able to access the treatment programmes they need to change their behaviour before they are released. We saw many committed staff in Offender Management Units in prisons who clearly wanted to work effectively with individual prisoners and were frustrated when deployed to other duties because of operational demands. There was insufficient guidance about their role and some felt inadequately trained. Professional supervision by line managers is not generally a part of the prison culture and oversight of work with individual cases, even the most serious, was limited. Although we found some examples of good public protection work, we were concerned that, overall, the work on both public protection and child protection issues was not of a sufficient standard. Too often the separation of offender management and public protection functions within the prison meant that information critical to public protection did not inform offender management decisions. Given the lack of priority afforded to offender management work it was not surprising to find that prison staff outside the Offender Management Unit had little appreciation of its work. The electronic case record P-NOMIS has the capacity to address some of our concerns by capturing and communicating information about an individual prisoner, including their progress towards achieving sentence plan objectives. However, despite the investment in the roll-out of the system, it was not being used effectively to support offender management. Sentence plans were generally inadequate. Too often they were based on the interventions that were available rather than on what were required. This has had the effect of masking the true level of need across the prison estate. Objectives were rarely outcome focused, so it was not surprising that progress and change were insufficiently recorded. These failings raise problems for offender managers in the community, as well as staff in prisons, as they are responsible for preparing risk assessments to inform progress through the prison system and ultimately release. A period of incarceration offers an opportunity to tackle a prisoner’s entrenched behaviour and attitudes, and moreover to observe and capture on a day-to-day basis whether the necessary changes are taking place prior to release. Failing to capitalise on that opportunity is a waste of an expensive resource. Details: London: Criminal Justice Joint Inspection, 2012. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 23, 2012 at: http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/publications/inspectorate-reports/hmiprobation/adult-inspection-reports/omi2/omi2-aggregate-report.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/publications/inspectorate-reports/hmiprobation/adult-inspection-reports/omi2/omi2-aggregate-report.pdf Shelf Number: 125740 Keywords: Correctional AdministrationCorrectional ProgramsInmatesPrison ManagementPrisoner RehabilitationPrisoners (U.K.) |
Author: Casey, Joe Title: The Social Reintegration of Ex-Prisoners in Council of Europe Member States Summary: The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) has a long history of campaigning for prison and criminal justice reform. Working within this 350-year tradition, the Quaker Council for European Affairs (QCEA) is actively involved in promoting respect for human rights in the way society deals with crime. QCEA carried out extensive research into the conditions of women in prison in member states of the Council of Europe (CoE), in partnership with the Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) in Geneva, Quaker Peace and Social Witness (QPSW) in the UK and the Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC) representatives to the UN Crime Commission in Vienna. The subsequent 2007 QCEA report, Women in Prison concluded that whilst in many cases prison sentences do little to reduce the risks of reoffending, the social cost to both prisoners and their families is disproportionately high. To support this recommendation, QCEA investigated the use of alternative sanctions to imprisonment in CoE member states. The resulting report, published in early 2010, presented a range of alternatives to prison, which ‘when implemented and assessed effectively, are often more successful at providing society with a suitable and effective response to crime and more often than not significantly less expensive’. Nevertheless, QCEA recognises that imprisonment will remain a part of European criminal justice systems, as ‘a last resort’ to be used where there is a pressing case to control offenders so that they cannot harm others. We argue in this report that whenever prison is used, it must be rehabilitative. Most offenders sent to prison will eventually be released. It is therefore incumbent on prison systems to invest adequately in rehabilitative programmes, so that prisoners have a better chance of reintegrating into the community after their sentence is finished. Such a policy respects the human rights and human dignity of those who break the law, but this is not the only reason to favour rehabilitation in prison management. An effective rehabilitative prison system can bring financial benefits too. Policing, investigating, and administering criminal justice systems are all expensive, as is imprisonment itself. This is not to mention the negative effects of crime on the community. Justice systems which can successfully rehabilitate offenders will save money and better meet the needs of society, since the alternative (longer and longer sentences) produces an unsustainable solution. These issues are explored in Chapter 3 followed by a short outline of how we have compiled the evidence used in this report in Chapter 4. There are many challenges to meet in making a rehabilitative prison system work. Among them is prison overcrowding. This problem is analysed in Chapter 5. Overcrowded prisons strain the resources invested in them and achieve less success in rehabilitating prisoners, because they are reduced to ‘coping’ rather than fulfilling their primary, rehabilitative function. Another challenge is ensuring that prisoners’ transition after their sentence is properly managed. This involves a balance between managing exoffenders and the crucially important goal of connecting them to services and opportunities (such as housing and employment) that will lend stability after the initial shock of leaving the regimented, structured life of prison. These need not be mutually exclusive goals. The role that probation services can play is explored in Chapter 6. Prisons must also understand and address the factors that, in many cases, drive criminal behaviour. Rehabilitation programmes for alcohol and drug addiction are vital in this regard as are programmes that aim to help prisoners understand the motivations and reasons for their crimes. Policy and best practice in alcohol and drug rehabilitation, and in sex-offender rehabilitation, are surveyed in Chapters 7 and 8. Yet the main challenge for prisoners remains how they will readapt to life in the community after their release. Preparation for this should begin immediately after their admission to prison. This is a huge adjustment for the prisoner and their families to make, especially after a longer sentence, and one where a number of factors come into play. Education (Chapter 9) is vital; if successfully completed it can have benefits both by offering prisoners employment skills they may not have had before and by allowing prisoners a different perspective on their lives. Preparation and support for prisoners to help them with the search for housing and employment are also important, as is the availability of training to improve their financial skills and thereby plan for the financial uncertainty and period of unemployment that may follow release. Current policies and best practice in these areas are explored in Chapter 10. Prisons should also try as far as possible to ensure that prisoners are able to stay in close touch with their families. Families provide the kind of motivation and support that official agencies simply cannot, and prison administrations must therefore make sure that they do not break family ties. This theme is explored in Chapter 11. Chapter 12 argues for the inclusion of prisoners in society more generally by arguing for the ending of blanket bans on prisoner voting. Finally, Chapter 13 makes the case for greater use of Restorative justice practices within and alongside the existing criminal justice system. Restorative justice aims to deal with conflicts (in this case, those caused by crime) by helping those affected explore the harm done and how it might be repaired. Such interventions may not be suitable in all cases and must be done with the consent of the individuals concerned, but have been shown to powerfully affect both offenders’ and victims’ perspectives on crimes. They work because they address the individual needs and issues caused by crime. At the core of all these issues and approaches is the fact that prisoners, for all that they may have committed acts that society disapproves of or even abhors, remain individual people, and they remain members of the wider community. If law-abiding behaviour arises out of respect or consideration for other members of our community, then dealing with crime solely by excluding its perpetrators from the same community that desires their future respect and consideration is unlikely to work. Continuing to exclude them after their release from prison merely exacerbates the problem, as does allowing prisons to become so overcrowded that prison staff cannot know or address the individual needs of prisoners. Proponents of an evermore punitive prison policy must confront this uncomfortable truth. There is no ‘catch-all’ solution to criminality and the policies and practices described in this report will not all apply to all offenders. However, exploration of best practice is worthwhile. Such practices, combined with a realistic policy on sentencing and prison population, may allow prisons to become genuinely rehabilitative. In so doing, prisons could be made to serve better the society that invests so heavily in them. Details: Geneva: Quaker Council for European Affairs, 2011. 156p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 24, 2012 at: http://www.qcea.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/rprt-reintegration-full-en-may-2011.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Europe URL: http://www.qcea.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/rprt-reintegration-full-en-may-2011.pdf Shelf Number: 125752 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsPrisoner Reentry (Europe)Prisoner RehabilitationPrisoner Reintegration |
Author: Hughes, Jenny Title: Doing the Arts Justice: A Review of Research Literature, Practice and Theory Summary: Doing the Arts Justice: A Review of Research Literature, Practice & Theory was commissioned by Arts Council England, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Offenders’ Learning and Skills Unit at the Department for Education and Skills, as core partners in the Research into Arts and Criminal Justice Think Tank (REACTT). REACTT was established by the Unit for the Arts and Offenders in late 2002, with the aim of establishing partnership research in the arts in criminal justice sector; developing a research programme to distill high quality evidence of outcomes from arts interventions in criminal justice settings; and feeding the results of research back into the development of a coherent evaluation framework for arts activities in criminal justice settings. Researched and written by Jenny Hughes, and Edited by Andrew Miles and Angus McLewin, the review includes chapters on: • What works in preventing offending by young people; • Interventions in custodial and community settings; • Relevance of the arts; • Quality assessment criteria for research design and methodology; • Facilitating re-engagement and attainment in education; • Challenging offending behaviour; • Sponsoring personal and social development; • The impact of the arts on social exclusion; • The impact of arts in the criminal justice system upon society; • Challenging prejudice and raising awareness in the community; • Enhancing and enriching the prison curriculum; • Coping with imprisonment and reducing anger and aggression; • The arts in resettlement; • Arts as a cultural right; and • Arts in prevention. Through surveys, case studies and more, the review demonstrates that "the arts have the capacity and potential to offer a range of innovative, theory-informed and practical approaches that can enhance and extend provision of educational, developmental and therapeutic programmes across the criminal justice sector." Details: London: Arts Council, Unit for Arts and Offenders, Centre for Applied Theatre Research, 2005. 82p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 27, 2012 at: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.culture.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/D4B445EE-4BCC-4F6C-A87A-C55A0D45D205/0/Doingartsjusticefinal.pdf Year: 2005 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.culture.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/D4B445EE-4BCC-4F6C-A87A-C55A0D45D205/0/Doingartsjusticefinal.pdf Shelf Number: 126111 Keywords: Arts in PrisonsArts ProgramsCorrectional ProgramsOffender Rehabilitation Programs (U.K.) |
Author: Feldbaum, Mindy Title: The Greening of Corrections: Creating a Sustainable System Summary: Although the primary goal of corrections is safety for the community and for those housed and working within the facilities, increasingly, sustainability goals and strategies are being integrated into policies and plans within the corrections community. Accordingly, more and more leaders within corrections are evaluating the long-term impacts of its buildings, operations, and programs on the environment, community, and economy, and are making decisions on management, resource allocation, and programming based on green principles and practices. The greening of corrections provides an extraordinary opportunity to create more efficient, resilient, and sustainable prisons and jails, with benefits that include reducing the financial and human capital costs of prisons through reduced energy and resource consumption and engaging inmates in hands-on work experiences and education and training to prepare them for jobs in the emerging green economy. The paper focuses on the greening of correctional facilities and their operations; the education and training of inmates to prepare for reentry, including environmental literacy; the current landscape of the greening of correctional industries through processes, products and partnerships; and the greening of reentry programs. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. National Institute of Corrections, 2012. 75p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 27, 2012 at: http://static.nicic.gov/Library/024914.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://static.nicic.gov/Library/024914.pdf Shelf Number: 126122 Keywords: Correctional FacilitiesCorrectional ProgramsEmployment ProgramsPrisoner ReentryPrisons |
Author: Adler, Robin Title: Vermont Department of Corrections Work Camp Outcome Evaluation Summary: In Act 41, this body tasked the Vermont Center for Justice Research (VCJR) with evaluating the recidivism rates of defendants assigned to the Northeast and Southeast Work Camps as compared to defendants sentenced to prison/jail without the benefit of work camp. The principal findings of the evaluation include: • The overall recidivism rate for work camp participants was 35%, compared to a 46% recidivism rate for those who went to prison. • Work camp participants with an LSI risk assessment score of “Medium” had a 35% recidivism rate compared to a 53% recidivism rate for prison inmates with an LSI score of “Medium.” • The work camp that a defendant is assigned to is significant in reducing recidivism. Participation at the Northeast Work Camp is more statistically significant in reducing the likelihood of recidivism than is participation at the Southeast Work Camp. • The re-offense patterns for the Work Camp Group and the Prison Group were generally the same. Recidivists from both groups were reconvicted of a wide variety of crimes. Over 70% of the reconvictions for both groups were misdemeanors. During the study period the median number of reconvictions for the Work Camp Group was two as opposed to three reconvictions for the Prison Group. • Recidivists from both groups were reconvicted soon after release from DOC custody. Approximately 45% of the recidivists from the Work Camp Group were reconvicted within one year and 92% were reconvicted within three years. Forty-nine percent of the Prison Group recidivists were reconvicted within one year and 88.4% were reconvicted within three years. • Sixty-nine percent of recidivists in both the Work Camp Group and the Prison Group earned their new offense in the county in which they lived at the time of entry into custody. Details: Northfield Falls, VT: Vermont Department of Corrections, 2012. 23p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 12, 2013 at: http://www.vcjr.org/reports/reportscrimjust/reports/workcamp_files/Work%20Camp%20Final.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.vcjr.org/reports/reportscrimjust/reports/workcamp_files/Work%20Camp%20Final.pdf Shelf Number: 127587 Keywords: Alternatives to IncarcerationCorrectional ProgramsRecidivismRehabilitationWork Camps (Vermont) |
Author: Frost, Natasha A. Title: Recidivism Among Inmates Released from the Billerica House of Correction Summary: In May 2008, the Center for Criminal Justice Policy Research at Northeastern University was awarded a grant from the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office (MSO) to conduct a study of recidivism among inmates released from the Middlesex House of Correction at Billerica. The MSO project involved (1) developing profiles of all inmates released from the facility annually between 1994 and 2007 (initially submitted as an interim report in January 2009); (2) conducting a comprehensive recidivism study that would establish recidivism rates for samples of inmates released from the facility in 1994, 2004, and 2007; and (3) delivering a platform for ongoing recidivism research. The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office provided electronic records for all inmates released from the Billerica House of Correction (BHOC) between 1994 and 2007. An interim report using data for all releases from the BHOC summarized release patterns annually (for every year between 1994 and 2007) and examined release trends over time (between 1994 and 2007). This interim report is included as a part of this final report as well. Data from calendar‐years 1994, 2004, and 2007 were used to conduct a more comprehensive recidivism study. Collection of release data across three points in time allowed for the study of time‐to‐recidivism using both one‐year and three‐year windows for recidivism and allowed for the study of changes in recidivism rates across the two release cohorts (spaced ten years apart). These years (1994 and 2004) were selected to allow for a three year time‐to‐recidivism window. Three‐year windows for recidivism are standard and customary for this type of study and are used in national and state studies of inmate recidivism. Although most released inmates who reoffend will do so in the first year following release, it can take some time to process offenders through the criminal justice system and therefore a three‐year window for recidivism is more reliable (particularly when recidivism is measured as either reconviction or reincarceration as it is in the present study). Due to some fairly substantial structural and programmatic changes at the facility, we also conducted a one‐year recidivism analysis for inmates released more recently in 2007. The report itself is divided into a number of sections and opens with a general introduction to issues related to prisoner reentry and recidivism. In this opening section of the report, we summarize key findings from earlier national recidivism studies conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics and state recidivism studies conducted by state agencies and research organizations. We then describe the Billerica House of Correction (BHOC) including descriptions of: (1) the recent renovation and modernization project, (2) the processes most related to programming and to prisoner reentry, and (3) the programs in place at the BHOC when the study launched. A description of the overall methodology for the study is followed by a description of the sample in terms of demographic and justice system relevant characteristics. The core findings are then described with an emphasis on four major areas: (1) program participation and completion; (2) recidivism – measured as both reconviction and reincarceration – at one‐ and threeyear from release; (3) program participation, program completion, and recidivism; (4) recidivism among specific subsets of released inmates. A supplemental section describes a smaller project focused on the LS‐CMI assessment instrument and program participation/completion. Key findings from each of the four primary results sections are included in this executive summary. Details: Boston: Northeastern University 2009. 204p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 12, 2013 at: http://www.middlesexsheriff.org/Northeastern%20Recid%20Study.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://www.middlesexsheriff.org/Northeastern%20Recid%20Study.pdf Shelf Number: 127588 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsPrisons (Massachusetts)Recidivism |
Author: Day, Andrew Title: Assessing the Social Climate of Prisons Summary: Although the rehabilitation of prisoners is one of the primary goals of correctional agencies in Australia, it is commonly believed that prisons do not offer environments that are particularly conducive to successful behaviour change. Indeed, qualitative and ethnographic research has consistently identified aspects of the institutional social climate that potentially act in ways that are counter-therapeutic. There have, however, been few quantitative studies that have demonstrated the effects of prison climate on rehabilitation outcomes. Research in this area has been hampered by the lack of any reliable method to measure the construct of the prison climate I a way that allows meaningful comparisons to be made either between institutions or in the same institution over time. This study reports the validation of a brief measure of social climate in two Australian prisons. The measure, a 15−item instrument (the Essen Climate Evaluation Schema; EssenCES), comprises three subscales: the Therapeutic Hold scale assesses perceptions of the extent to which the climate is supportive of therapy and therapeutic change; the Patient Cohesion scale assesses whether mutual support of a kind typically seen as characteristic of therapeutic communities is present in an institution or unit; and the Safety scale assesses tension and the perceived threat of aggression and violence. A total of 253 participants (144 prisoners and 109 staff members) completed the EssenCES measure of social climate, together with a number other measures designed to establish convergent validity of the assessment tool. Factor analysis of EssenCES ratings provided support for the three subscales identified by the measure developers. A small, but significant, positive association between prisoner scores on the EssenCES and a measure of readiness to engage with offender rehabilitation programs was suggestive of convergent validity, as was the moderate significant association observed between prison staff scores on the EssenCES and ratings of staff stress. These results suggest that the EssenCES measure is suitable for use in future investigations of prison social climate. Further analyses sought to establish whether significant differences existed in social climate between the two institutions that participated in this research: a specialist rehabilitation prison and a mainstream prison, both located in the same jurisdiction. Both of these prisons were shown to provide a social climate that might be considered to be at least as therapeutic as those that exist in forensic psychiatry settings in other parts of the world. Between-prison differences were observed for the prisoner ratings on the measure of social climate, and there were significant differences with large effect sizes for the staff ratings. Staff at the rehabilitation prison rated the overall social climate as significantly more positive than their mainstream prison counterparts. Both the level of staff interest and support for prisoners and level of support and caring between prisoners were rated as significantly higher by staff from the rehabilitation prison. It is concluded that specialist rehabilitation prisons can succeed in providing an environment that is more conducive to offender rehabilitation than mainstream prisons, and that the data reported here provides some evidence to support the further development of such institutions (or specialist therapeutic units within mainstream prisons). However, further research is required to establish whether other factors such as type of prison unit (e.g., protection unit) or accommodation style (e.g., wings or small housing units) exert a systematic Assessing the social climate of prisons Page 5 of 42 effect on the social climate of a prison and whether a prison social climate can be modified in ways that enhance rehabilitative outcomes. What emerges from this research, however, is further support for the idea that the social climate of a prison can influence rehabilitative outcomes and that this can be easily and reliably measured. It is recommended that the social climate of Australian prisons are routinely audited such that changes over time are assessed, standards and targets for improvement set, and that the need for additional resources or interventions is identified and responded to. Details: Report to the Criminology Research Council (Australia), 2011. 42p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 15, 2013 at: http://www.criminologyresearchcouncil.gov.au/reports/02-0910.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Australia URL: http://www.criminologyresearchcouncil.gov.au/reports/02-0910.pdf Shelf Number: 127637 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsPrisonersPrisons (Australia)Rehabilitation Programs |
Author: Kansas Department of Corrections Title: Offender Programs Evaluation: Volume VII Summary: This evaluation report initially proceeded from a set of evaluation questions. These questions, initially discussed in detail in Volume I - January 1997, continue to guide the inquiry, data organization, and reporting format. The output (process) data in this report provides a statistical review of offender program participation for a five-year period from FY 2002 through FY 2006. Outcome (recidivism) data begins with FY 1992 and covers up to a fifteen-year period (through the end of FY 2006). Information is provided for each of the following programs: · Sex Offender Treatment o Sex Offender Treatment Program (SOTP) o Substance Abuse Treatment Component of SOTP · Substance Abuse Treatment o Alcohol and Drug Addiction Primary Treatment (ADAPT) (outcome data only) o Chemical Dependency Recovery Program (CDRP) o Substance Abuse Treatment for Females o Therapeutic Community (TC) (recidivism data covers FY 1997 – FY 2006 only) · Academic Education (process data only) · Special Education (process data only) · Vocational Education · Transitional Training Program · Pre-Release Reintegration Program · Work Release Program (recidivism data covers FY 1995 - FY 2006 only) · InnerChangeTM Program o InnerChange Program (recidivism data covers FY 2000 - FY 2006 only) o Substance Abuse Treatment Component of InnerChange Program. Details: Topeka, KS: Kansas Department of Corrections, 2007. 171p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 4, 2013 at: http://www.doc.ks.gov/publications/program-evaluation-reports/ProgramsEvaluationVII.pdf Year: 2007 Country: United States URL: http://www.doc.ks.gov/publications/program-evaluation-reports/ProgramsEvaluationVII.pdf Shelf Number: 127816 Keywords: Correctional Institutions (Kansas, U.S.)Correctional ProgramsOffender RehabilitationPrisonersTreatment Programs |
Author: New Zealand. Department of Corrections, Strategy, Policy and Planning Title: What Works Now? A review and update of research evidence relevant to offender rehabilitation practices within the Department of Corrections Summary: A substantial body of research evidence, known as the “What Works” literature, was influential in the design of the Department’s current sentence management framework. This literature revolved around a number of key principles of correctional rehabilitation which, if adhered to in the design and delivery of services, would reliably lead to reduced rates of re-offending. The principles of effective correctional rehabilitation can be divided into three major domains, namely risk, targets and “responsivity”. It is now more than ten years since the main features of the existing sentence management framework were adopted. The current review examines new research published over the last decade that relates to these three domains. In doing so, the approach taken was not limited to publications directly aligned with the “what works” paradigm; the goal was to consider all new evidence which related to effective correctional rehabilitation. The main findings of the review are presented below under the headings relating to each of the three main domain areas. In relation to risk assessment, the current review concludes that knowledge of an offender’s relative likelihood of recidivism remains valuable in supporting effective correctional treatment. Evidence confirming the accuracy and utility of a variety of risk assessment tools has continued to accumulate. Structured risk prediction tools have been adopted in countries around the world, and are in use in a range of ways to assist efficient offender management. The utility of risk data has been demonstrated in serving both incapacitative and rehabilitative goals. With respect to the latter, the principle that treatment should be targeted at medium- and high-risk offenders, rather than low-risk offenders, has continued to receive empirical support. Risk prediction tools have proliferated, and principles for their optimal use have become clearer. For the general offender population, research suggests that risk tools should be clearly structured to assess static (stable, enduring) risk factors or both static and dynamic (more changeable) factors. Accurate estimations of risk can also be produced by tools that guide clinical judgement. Assessing acute (highly changeable) factors can also provide guidance about whether offending may be imminent. More recently, innovations have included risk assessment tools that are specific to certain types of offending, especially violent and sexual recidivism, and these specialised risk assessment tools have been proven to be more accurate than generic risk tools. Similarly, more accurate estimations of risk can be produced when specific tools are used for youth offenders and to assess psychopathic offenders. Finally, there is now some evidence suggesting that assessment of positive characteristics in an offender’s life (skills, strengths and social resources) are relevant to risk of re-offending, and should be included in an overall risk assessment. The current review adopts the term “target” to refer to those aspects of the offender’s personality, lifestyle or circumstances which, if effectively remedied in some way, lead to positive (reduced re-offending) outcomes. The term replaces the previous “criminogenic need” concept, which is no longer as widely accepted. From an examination of published outcome studies, the following personal characteristics continue to show value as a focus for correctional intervention: • anti-social attitudes and beliefs • anti-social peer associations • deviant sexual interests • substance abuse and dependency • poor self-management and problem-solving skills • familial conflict and dysfunction • psychiatric disorders • education and employment related deficits. Details: Wellington, NZ: New Zealand Department of Corrections, 2009. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 15, 2013 at: http://www.corrections.govt.nz/research.html Year: 2009 Country: New Zealand URL: http://www.corrections.govt.nz/research.html Shelf Number: 119149 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsCorrectional Rehabilitation Programs (New Zealand)Correctional TreatmentPrisoners |
Author: Kilgour, Glen Title: Breaking the Cycle of Crime: Special Treatment Unit Evaluation Report Summary: This summary report outlines a multi-layered evaluation of the performance and effectiveness of the four High Risk Special Treatment Units (HRSTUs) run by the Department of Corrections, New Zealand. Projects covered the description of programme participants, completers’ perceptions of the programme, programme integrity, pre- and post-programme results on psychometric measures, misconduct rates following treatment and recidivism outcomes. The evaluation found that: • The HRSTUs are generally targeting the offenders for which they were designed; Maori participants are represented in proportion to their presence within the high risk prisoner population. • The programmes are well received by programme completers; the units are typically regarded as ‘safe’ places that effectively challenge antisocial thinking and behaviour. • Programme integrity is generally satisfactory but changes in some areas could improve the ‘therapeutic community’ aspect of the environment and other indicators of integrity (e.g. supervision, staff selection, adherence to manuals). • Initial indications show changes in the right direction on several measures of programme outcome including psychometric testing results, prison incidents, and recidivism. The recommendations are divided into five sections: changes to programme eligibility criteria; HRSTU programme improvements; post-programme support and reintegration; general management of the units, and ongoing research and evaluation. The recommendations include: • reviewing the use of key programme assessment measures • refining aspects of the selection and retention of programme participants • ensuring regular and robust supervision of programme staff • improving post-treatment support, release planning, and reintegration initiatives for programme attendees • changing structural aspects of the programme and improving staff selection procedures and training to strengthen the therapeutic community • maintaining an ongoing evaluative component of the programme following an internal review of appropriate psychometric measures and the model of data capture. Details: Wellington, NZ: Psychological Services Department of Corrections, 2012. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 15, 2013 at: http://www.corrections.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/641217/COR_Breaking_the_Cycle_of_Crime_WEB.pdf Year: 2012 Country: New Zealand URL: http://www.corrections.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/641217/COR_Breaking_the_Cycle_of_Crime_WEB.pdf Shelf Number: 127966 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsCorrectional Rehabilitation Programs (New Zealand)Mental Health ServicesPsychological ServicesRecidivism |
Author: Ellis, Monica Title: Victim Awareness Program: A Descriptive Study Summary: The Victim Awareness Program is restorative in nature in that it requires offenders to address their criminal behavior. The program also allows victims the opportunity to be engaged in the justice process of offenders who participate in the program. The premise behind Victim Awareness Programming, otherwise mentioned in the research literature as Impact of Crime on Victim Classes (ICVC) is that the majority of offenders are not incarcerated for violent offenses (Seymour, 1989). Thus, it is argued that ICVC programs are sufficient for addressing offenders’ cognitive needs as well as encouraging offenders to accept responsibility for their actions. ICVC programs focus on developing an intense emotional impact among offenders and are touted as being able to reduce offenders’ propensity for blaming and increase their ability to accept responsibility for their actions (Jackson, Lucas & Blackburn, 2009). Offenders who are not willing to accept responsibility for their actions are more likely to weaken their ties with reality and use external attribution as a means of eliminating feelings of guilt, which are important for reconciliation and healing (Pattison, 2000). The motivation underlying the initial development of victim impact and awareness programs was recognition that many offenders were completely unaware and unmoved by the impact of their crime on victims. To provide a benchmark for this, twenty-two years ago, Seymour (1989) conducted the first national survey in the United States and reported that awareness classes were conducted in only approximately ten percent of the 50 states. There has been a significant increase in programs in a relatively short span of time. Despite the expansion of these programs, victim awareness classes have been the subject of an extremely small number of unpublished evaluation reports. A comprehensive literature review conducted in 2005 found no published peer reviewed journal articles reporting empirical findings specifically related to awareness programs other than Monahan, Monahan, Gaboury and Niesyn (2004). Since 2005 there have been two primary studies gauging the effectiveness of impact of crime programming. In a 2007 evaluation of the ICVC Curriculum Project sponsored by the Office for Victims of Crime, U.S. Department of Justice, lead evaluator Dr. Mario T. Gaboury found definite benefits to the concept of victim awareness programming for offenders. Dr. Gaboury along with colleague Dr. Chris Sedelmaier studied the implementation of a standardized program at 10 correctional facilities in four states: California, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia. The researchers found that offenders participating in the study demonstrated statistically significant improvements in knowledge of victims’ rights and knowledge about the impact of victimization on crime victims (Gaboury, 2007). The results of this study indicate that it is possible to move offenders toward understanding the impact of their criminal behavior while at the same time developing a sense of accountability for their actions. In a subsequent study of offenders in the Missouri Department of Corrections, Dr. Arrick Jackson, a criminal justice professor from North Texas University found that offenders completing victim awareness programming experienced an increase in accountability with a decreased amount of external blaming of the victim, and society for their correctional supervision (Jackson, 2009). ICVC programs focus on developing an intense emotional impact among offenders and are touted as being able to reduce offenders’ propensity for blaming and increase their ability to accept responsibility for their actions (Jackson, Lucas & Blackburn, 2009). The Victim Awareness Program in Ohio, which builds on research regarding the positive impact of victim awareness on offender behavior (Gaboury et al. 2004, 2007, & Jackson 2009), underwent curriculum changes and implemented the revised curriculum in October 2009. Programmatic changes included a Media section that allows program participants to understand the impact of the media on issues surrounding crime victims. Unique to Victim Awareness is the development of the Forgiveness/Making Amends portion of the curriculum. Historically, program participants have proposed questions surrounding the issues of forgiveness and survivors of crime. The Forgiveness/Making Amends section allows participants to begin a process toward developing an understanding of the concept of forgiveness from a victim’s perspective. This occurs while simultaneously encouraging participant accountability for the harm done to victims and survivors. A distinctive feature of the Victim Awareness curriculum in Ohio is the creation and implementation of a gender-specific curriculum for female offenders. The corresponding gender-specific curriculum attempts to increase offender responsibility for their actions while addressing the unique trajectory of offenses committed by female offenders. This study assesses whether offenders gain knowledge and insight into the impact of crime on victims and the community. The acquisition of knowledge and insight is central to changing criminal mindsets (Kegan & Lahey, 2009). It has been the experience of professionals at ODRC that this program effectively demonstrates to offenders the true impact of crime. Program facilitators have provided accounts of observable behavior and attitude changes relative to crime. However, the positive experience of practitioners should be tested by empirical evidence. This study was completed in order to conduct an exploratory assessment of the claims of increased knowledge as a result of the Victim Awareness Program. ODRC is committed to the model of practitioners and researchers working in partnership to assess the validity of theories of intervention and improve their practical application. Details: Columbus, OH: Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services, 2011. 34p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed march 18, 2013 at: http://www.publicsafety.ohio.gov/links/ocjs_VictimAwarenessStudy2011.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.publicsafety.ohio.gov/links/ocjs_VictimAwarenessStudy2011.pdf Shelf Number: 127990 Keywords: Cognnitive-Behavioral Programs (Ohio, U.S.)Correctional ProgramsOffender Rehabilitation ProgramsRestorative Justice ProgramsVictim Awareness Program |
Author: Scottish Parliament. Justice Committee Title: 5th Report, 2013 (Session 4): Inquiry Into Purposeful Activity in Prisons Summary: 1. The Justice Committee believes that the effective rehabilitation of offenders is vital in order to reduce crime levels, reduce the economic and social costs of crime and help create a safer Scotland. It also enables those individuals who have offended, for a variety of reasons, to choose a better life for themselves, their families and communities. 2. A key element of rehabilitation is the recognition of those factors which cause some people to offend and the appropriate level of support to help them develop the skills, experiences and confidence to address these factors and change their behaviour. The Committee recognises that this process takes time and resources. The Committee also recognises, however, that evidence shows this process works. In addition, the Committee believes that this time and those resources can be justified given the significant time and resources currently spent by the police, courts, prison service and wider criminal justice system in connection with reoffending. 3. The Committee believes that, as well as punishing offenders by taking away their liberty, the prison system has an important role to play in rehabilitating offenders. In fact, rehabilitation must start in prison and, to be most effective, must also continue after release when, most often, offenders are back in the environment where they committed their crimes. 4. Purposeful activities, of an educational, counselling, work nature and such others as family contact, are a fundamental element of the rehabilitation process. They can help prisoners address any personal issues that may have contributed to their offending behaviour and help develop the working routine, education, skills and experience necessary to find employment on release and lead a stable, non-offending life. 5. The recommendations of the Committee are included. Details: Edinburgh: Scottish Parliament, 2013. 42p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 6, 2013 at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/S4_JusticeCommittee/Reports/jur-13-05w.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/S4_JusticeCommittee/Reports/jur-13-05w.pdf Shelf Number: 128301 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsInmatesPrisoners (Scotland)Rehabilitation ProgramsVocational Education and Training |
Author: Olson, Jeremiah Carl Title: Social Construction and Political Decision Making in the American Prisons System(s) Summary: With over two million inmates, the United States’ prison population is the largest in the world. Nearly one in one hundred Americans are behind bars, either in prisons or pre-trial detention facilities. The rapid growth in incarceration is well-documented. However, social science explanations often stop at the prison gates, with little work on treatment inside prisons. This black box approach ignores important bureaucratic decisions, including the provision of rehabilitative services and the application of punishment. This dissertation offers a systematic analysis of treatment decisions inside the American prisons. I use a mixed methods approach, combining multiple quantitative datasets with environmental observation at four prisons, and original interviews of twenty-three correctional staff members. I offer the only large-n comparative analysis of American state prisons. Characteristics of the inmates as well as characteristics of staff are explored. I am able to analyze data at the state, facility and individual level. All of this is to answer a crucial and somewhat overlooked question; how do prison staff decide who should be punished and who should receive rehabilitative treatment? I find that theories of social construction offer insight into the treatment of American prison inmates. Specifically, I find that socially constructed racial categories offer explanatory value for inmate treatment. Black and Hispanic inmates are less likely to receive important rehabilitative programs, including access to mental health and medical care. Black and Hispanic inmates are also more likely to receive punishment including the use of solitary confinement in administrative segregation units. I find, consistent with theories of representative bureaucracy that staffing characteristics also impact treatment decisions, with black and Hispanic staff members expressing lower preferences for punishment and prisons with higher percentages of black staff members utilize administrative segregation less. I provide a historical overview of the changing social constructions of crime and prisons inside the United States, from colonial to present day America. I argue that the treatment of prisoners changes as our conception of crime changes. I discuss recent bipartisan attempts at prison reform and offer my own suggestions for reform of the American prison system. Details: Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky, Political Science, 2013. 222p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed May 13, 2013 at: http://uknowledge.uky.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1005&context=polysci_etds Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://uknowledge.uky.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1005&context=polysci_etds Shelf Number: 128713 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsCriminal Justice PolicyDecision-MakingOffender RehabilitationPrisons (U.S.) |
Author: Scarbrough, Sarah Huggins Title: Reducing Recidivism in Returning Offenders with Alcohol and Drug Related Offenses: Contracts for the Delivery of Authentic Peer Based Recovery Support Services Summary: In collaboration with Sheriff C. T. Woody, the Deputies and other jail personnel, Kingdom Life Ministries (KLM) operates in the City of Richmond Jail. Aimed at serving individuals who suffer from alcoholism and other drug addictions, KLM’s programs offer peer-to-peer recovery support services; meaning people who are successful in their recovery deliver the recovery message. On any given day, rehabilitation and recovery services are provided to 120 men in what used to be the worst tier of the Richmond City Jail. A large portion of these men battle substance abuse disorders and have exhibited habitual criminal behavior over an extended period of time. Using a mixed methods approach, this study examined the effectiveness of KLM, during two stages — while the men are incarcerated and upon release. Beginning in February 2008, with the initial implementation of the KLM program, the examination spanned three and a half years, concluding in September 2011. The qualitative and quantitative findings of this study revealed the effectiveness of the KLM program. Secondary data examining other programs in and outside of Virginia was also reviewed to in order to develop best practices recommendations for substance abuse treatment organizations. Last, it was also discovered that private organizations provide more efficient services than public programs, and do in a much more cost effective manner. Details: Richmond VA: Virginia Commonwealth University, 2012. 223p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed May 13, 2013 at: http://sarahscarbrough.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/scarbrough-dissertation.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://sarahscarbrough.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/scarbrough-dissertation.pdf Shelf Number: 128714 Keywords: Alcohol OffendersCorrectional ProgramsDrug OffendersJail Inmates (Virginia)Peer-to-Peer MentoringPrisoner RehabilitationRecidivism |
Author: Texas Juvenile Justice Department Title: Effectiveness of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports: A Report to the Texas Legislature Summary: House Bill 3689 from the 81st Legislative Session required the implementation of Positive Behavioral Supports and Interventions (PBIS) in the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) [formerly Texas Youth Commission], with an implementation status report due December 1, 2010, and an effectiveness report due December 1, 2012. Statutory reporting requirements for this document, as outlined in Texas Education Code, Title 2, Subtitle F., Chapter 30, Subchapter E, §30.106, are (c) (3) (A) documentation of school-related disciplinary referrals, disaggregated by the type, location, and time of infraction and by subgroups designated under commission rule; and (B) documentation of school-related disciplinary actions, including time-out, placement in security, and use of restraints and other aversive measures, disaggregated by subgroups designated under commission rule. The Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) provides oversight to educational programming in secure facilities as required by statute for both general and special education student populations. When the legislation was initiated during the 81st legislative session in 2009, nine secure facility schools were recipients of the PBIS implementation, and currently, following facility closures in 2011, there are six. The evolution of programming elements continues to be a focus at each campus. This is a comprehensive report which not only provides statistical analysis satisfying statutory requirements, but also includes discussion on program elements, considering comparative data for the current school year and those prior (pre-PBIS : post-PBIS). The implementation of PBIS appears to be having an impact on the behavior and academic outcomes of youth in secure facilities. Significant findings regarding the effectiveness of PBIS in TJJD: - The number of incidents, both minor and major, are four times higher in non-school settings than in school, where PBIS has been implemented; - The percent of incidents with youth eligible for special education services has decreased, and the percent of Security admissions for these students is the lowest it’s been since 2009; - The percent of disciplinary referrals for Hispanic and Anglo students is the lowest it’s been since 2009; - The percent of disciplinary referrals involving physical and mechanical restraint has decreased to the lowest levels since 2009; - Average Daily Attendance has increased; and - Academic performance has increased in all categories of measured outcomes. Details: Austin, TX: Texas Juvenile Justice Department, 2012. 29p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 25, 2013 at: http://www.tjjd.texas.gov/publications/reports/PBISLegislativeReport2012-12.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.tjjd.texas.gov/publications/reports/PBISLegislativeReport2012-12.pdf Shelf Number: 129146 Keywords: Behavior ModificationCorrectional ProgramsJuvenile Correctional FacilitiesJuvenile InmatesJuvenile Justice (Texas, U.S.)Juvenile Residential Treatment Centers |
Author: Crout & Sida Criminal Justice Consultants Title: Orange County Jail Assessment Project Summary: On June 10, 2008, the Orange County Board of Supervisors appointed Sheriff Sandra Hutchens to lead the Orange County Sheriff's Department after the resignation of former Sheriff Michael Carona. The Orange County Sheriff's Department had been buffeted in recent years by allegations of mismanagement and with special notoriety attached to the homicide death of inmate, John Derek Chamberlain who was being held in the jail. Upon her appointment, Sheriff Hutchens, made an inquiry for the purpose of hiring an expert consultant to develop and complete a comprehensive assessment of the Orange County jails. Crout & Sida Criminal Justice Consultants (CSCJC) was subsequently selected by the Sheriff's Department and the County Board of Supervisors to conduct a study of the five separate jail facilities operated by the Sheriff's Department, along with an assessment of the court holding facilities, and jail programs. In accordance with the contract for consulting services, the final report was required to be completed within a 120 days in order to provide a timely and credible assessment of the jail system and enabling the Sheriff to quickly address operational issues, to effect course corrections in the jail, wherever necessary. In order to harvest objective and credible information, CSCJC developed a template containing evaluation criteria with which to conduct the audits, trained our team of consultants on the criteria, began onsite inspections and evaluations of the jail system in July 2008 and concluded them in November 2008. To enable immediate attention to deficiencies identified during the audits, CSCJC provided periodic executive reports to the Sheriff, executive staff and jail managers. Additionally, Interim Reports to the Sheriff's Department describing our findings for each facility/bureau and unit that was assessed was provided to the Custody Operations Command that contains detailed observations gleaned from the evaluation instruments developed for this project. Throughout the project, the CSCJC consulting team has made 115 recommendations and provided implementation-planning tools to OCSD jail managers for further action based upon the information provided in the reports. This OCJAP Final Report represents a compilation of data and observations made for each of the custody entities examined and is the comprehensive view of the findings and recommendations of the OCJAP. Details: Santa Ana, CA: Government of Orange County, 2008. 182p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 31, 2014 at: http://bos.ocgov.com/legacy5/newsletters/pdf/OCJAP_Final_Report-11-14-08.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: http://bos.ocgov.com/legacy5/newsletters/pdf/OCJAP_Final_Report-11-14-08.pdf Shelf Number: 131821 Keywords: Correctional AdministrationCorrectional ProgramsJails |
Author: Smith, Leslie A. Title: Therapeutic Communities for Substance Related Disorder (Review) Summary: Therapeutic communities (TCs) are a popular treatment for the rehabilitation of drug users. The results of this review show that there is little evidence that TCs offer significant benefits in comparison with other residential treatment, or that one type of TC is better than another. Prison TC may be better than prison on it's own or Mental Health Treatment Programmes to prevent re-offending postrelease for inmates. Details: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2006, Issue 1. 42p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 19, 2014 at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD005338.pub2/pdf Year: 2006 Country: International URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD005338.pub2/pdf Shelf Number: 131973 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsDrug Abuse TreatmentDrug OffendersSubstance Abuse |
Author: Lamb, Kathleen Title: Recovery Services Evaluation Report: An Assessment of Program Completion Rates, and the Relationship Between Program Completion Status and Recidivism. 2009-2012 Period Summary: Existing literature suggests there is a strong relationship between participation in prison-based substance abuse programming and reduced recidivism. One way in which Ohio's offender population participates in substance abuse treatment is through participation in the intensive outpatient treatment program, which is the focus of this evaluation. This is a three-phase program consisting of the Treatment Readiness Phase, the Intensive Outpatient Phase, and the Recovery Maintenance phase. All phases are grounded in cognitive-behavioral therapy, aiming to change inmate thinking patterns. Prior research has demonstrated that intensive outpatient programs are a cost-effective way to reduce recidivism upon release from prison, although they are most useful when accompanied by supplemental programming (community-based aftercare). The present study has two major goals. The first is to assess completion rates (both successful completers as well as unsuccessful discharges) of offenders participating in intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment programs in Ohio prisons during the period from 2009 to 2012. The second is to establish whether there is a significant relationship between program completion status and recidivism one year after release. This work builds on prior evaluations of Recovery Services substance abuse programs by evaluating a more recent time frame, during which data quality substantially improved over prior periods, and incorporating statistical analyses at both the bivariate level and multivariate level. The multivariate findings assess the relationship between completion and recidivism while holding numerous other inmate characteristics constant. Details: Columbus, OH: Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, 2013. 57p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 17, 2014 at: http://www.drc.ohio.gov/web/Reports/RS_Evaluation_Dec2013.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://www.drc.ohio.gov/web/Reports/RS_Evaluation_Dec2013.pdf Shelf Number: 132394 Keywords: Community-Based AftercareCorrectional ProgramsDrug Abuse TreatmentDrug OffendersRecidivismSubstance Abuse Treatment |
Author: Camman, Carolyn Title: Environmental Scan of Canadian and International Aboriginal Corrections Programs and Services Summary: To help inform the evaluation of Strategic Plan on Aboriginal Corrections (SPAC) in 2010/11 and CSC's future planning and policy decisions in this area, the University of Saskatchewan was contracted to undertake an external environmental scan of Aboriginal corrections programs and services within Canada and internationally. Program searches extended across the four elements of the Aboriginal Corrections Continuum of Care model but specifically excluded programs and services provided or funded by CSC. Pre-dispositional programs and services (e.g. sentencing circles, presentence diversion programs) were also excluded from the scan. The scan of corrections programs and services targeted to Aboriginal offenders revealed 38 (non-CSC) programs across Canada and 67 programs and services internationally. All Continuum of Care categories were represented, with the greatest number falling within the 'Intervention' category. Details: Saskatoon: University of Saskatchewan, Forensic Behavioural Sciences and Justice Studies Initiative, 2011. 114p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 26, 2014 at: http://www.usask.ca/cfbsjs/research/pdf/research_reports/CSC_Environmental_Scan_Mar_22_corr.pdf Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://www.usask.ca/cfbsjs/research/pdf/research_reports/CSC_Environmental_Scan_Mar_22_corr.pdf Shelf Number: 132553 Keywords: AboriginalsCorrectional ProgramsIndigenous PeoplesInterventionsPrisonersRehabilitation |
Author: Drake, Elizabeth Title: Inventory of Evidence-Based and Research-Based Programs for Adult Corrections Summary: A series of recent public policy reforms has moved Washington State toward the use of 'evidence-based' programs. The central concept behind these reforms is to identify and implement strategies shown through rigorous research to improve statewide outcomes (e.g., crime rates or high school graduation rates) cost-effectively. The 2013 Legislature passed a bill to facilitate the use of evidence-based programs in adult corrections. The legislation directed the Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) to: - Develop terms to define evidence-based and research-based programs; - Create an inventory of adult correctional programs and classify those programs as evidence-based or research-based; and - Conduct additional systematic reviews where research evidence currently lacks. The legislation also directs the Department of Corrections (DOC) to determine if the programs it delivers are evidence-based or research-based according to the inventory developed by WSIPP. DOC is required to develop a plan to phase-out ineffective programs and implement evidence-based programs by 2015. This legislative assignment parallels another project approved by WSIPP's Board of Directors requiring WSIPP to expand its benefit-cost model into new topic areas (Medicaid, aging, homelessness, public health, and employment/workforce training). In addition to expanding our benefit-cost model, we will continue to update adult corrections programs and policies relevant to Washington State until the project ends in 2015. Section I of this report contains definitions for evidence-based and research-based programs. Updated systematic reviews are found in Section II. The adult corrections inventory is located in Section III of this report. Details: Olympia, WA: Washington State Institute for Public Policy, 2013. 8p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 30, 2014 at: http://www.wsipp.wa.gov/ReportFile/1542/Wsipp_Inventory-of-Evidence-Based-and-Research-Based-Programs-for-Adult-Corrections_Final-Report.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://www.wsipp.wa.gov/ReportFile/1542/Wsipp_Inventory-of-Evidence-Based-and-Research-Based-Programs-for-Adult-Corrections_Final-Report.pdf Shelf Number: 132843 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsCost-Benefit AnalysisEvidence-Based PracticesPrisonsTreatment Programs |
Author: New York City Board of Correction Title: Barriers to Recreation at Rikers Island's Central Punitive Segregation Unit Summary: When people confined in New York City's Rikers Island jail complex violate rules the Department of Correction (DOC) has the authority to remove them from the general inmate population and place them in punitive segregation. Often referred to as "the bing," punitive segregation functions as a jail within a jail, where prisoners are locked almost continuously in single-occupancy cells that are roughly 7 feet wide and 12 feet long. Several of the facilities on Rikers Island have punitive segregation units, and the largest is the Central Punitive Segregation Unit (CPSU) at the Otis Bantum Correctional Center, which is reserved for male prisoners. On March 17 of this year, for example, 367 adults - 92.4% of all adult prisoners assigned to punitive segregation - were housed in the CPSU along with 22 adolescent prisoners, representing roughly a quarter (27.8%) of all teens in punitive segregation on that day. Because continuous solitary confinement is detrimental to a person's physical and mental health, the Minimum Standards promulgated by the New York City Board of Correction (BOC), reflecting both national and international standards for the treatment of prisoners, entitle inmates in punitive segregation to at least one hour of recreation every day. For individuals confined in the CPSU, the only form of recreation available is an hour alone in one of the Unit's 32 outdoor "cages." While the cages are empty of any equipment such as a basketball hoop and ball or pull-up bar that would facilitate exercise, this hour nevertheless represents a prisoner's only access to fresh air and direct sunlight and only opportunity for social contact with other prisoners in adjacent pens and staff present in the area. This brief interruption of life in solitary confinement is particularly important for a population with a high rate of mental illness and instability and, as a result, one that is difficult to supervise safely. According to snapshot data provided by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, more than half of prisoners in CPSU either came to Rikers Island with a diagnosed mental illness or received mental health services during their current period of incarceration. Details: New York: New York City Board of Correction, 2014. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 12, 2014 at: http://www.nyc.gov/html/boc/downloads/pdf/reports/CPSU_Rec_Report.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://www.nyc.gov/html/boc/downloads/pdf/reports/CPSU_Rec_Report.pdf Shelf Number: 132998 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsInmate DisciplineIsolationRikers IslandSolitary Confinement (New York City) |
Author: Stewart, Lynn A. Title: Outcomes of Federal Aboriginal Offenders in Correctional Programs: Follow-up from the ICPM Evaluation Summary: What it means Past research suggests that Aboriginal offenders benefit from participation in both Aboriginal-specific, and mainstream Correctional Service Canada (CSC) correctional programs. Further research on their response to the Integrated Correctional Program Model (ICPM)Footnote 1, found that Aboriginal offenders participating in the Aboriginal Integrated Correctional Program Model (AICPM) do as well as, or better than, participants in the Aboriginal Nationally Recognized Correctional Programs (NRCP). AICPM, however, demonstrates no improvement in efficiency over the Aboriginal-specific NRCP menu in assisting offenders in the timely completion of correctional programs identified on their correctional plans. Key outcomes related to sex offending, violent offending and domestic violence offending have yet to be examined. What we found When risk factors were controlled and region was held constant, returns to custody and returns with an offence did not differ between Aboriginal offenders participating in ICPM or AICPM and matched participants in NRCPs. When the time period during which the offenders attended programs was the same between study groups, controlling for multiple risk factors, Aboriginal offenders participating in AICPM were significantly less likely to return to custody and to return with an offence than Aboriginal offenders participating in the Aboriginal-specific NRCP menu. An analysis of program efficiencies found that time from admission to start of the first correctional program was significantly longer for AICPM than Aboriginal NRCP. Time to the completion of the last correctional program prior to release did not differ between the AICPM and Aboriginal NRCP groups. Why we did this study A prior evaluation of the ICPM pointed to a trend for poorer results for offenders in the AICPM group than those in the NRCP group. Further information on the efficacy and efficiency of ICPM and AICPM for Aboriginal offenders was requested in order to inform decisions regarding full implementation of the program. What we did The following analyses were conducted: - All research reporting on outcomes for Aboriginal offenders who participated in CSC correctional programs was reviewed and summarized; - Aboriginal offenders in the ICPM (n = 24) and AICPM (n = 70) were compared on correctional outcomes; - Using a longer-term follow-up period, 137 Aboriginal participants in the ICPM/AICPM were compared to their matched NRCP pairs; and - The recent population of Aboriginal offenders in AICPM (n = 163) were compared to the recent population of Aboriginal offenders in Aboriginal NRCP programs (n = 858) on correctional outcomes and program efficiencies. Details: Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada, 2014. 42p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Report No. R-328: Accessed August 23, 2014 at: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/005/008/092/005008-0328-eng.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Canada URL: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/005/008/092/005008-0328-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 133128 Keywords: Aboriginal Offenders (Canada)Correctional ProgramsRecidivismRehabilitation Programs |
Author: Ternes, Marguerite Title: An Examination of the Effectiveness of the National Substance Abuse Program Moderate Intensity (NSAP-M) on Institutional Adjustment and Post-Release Outcomes Summary: What it means The findings suggest that the National Substance Abuse Program - Moderate Intensity (NSAP-M) reduced the risks associated with substance use and criminality. The offenders with partial exposure to the program showed the poorest outcomes with respect to return to custody. The results also demonstrate the value of participating in community maintenance even with limited exposure to NSAP-M. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of offenders participated in community aftercare. What we found The occurrence of institutional misconduct was not significantly reduced by NSAP-M participation. Offenders who fully completed NSAP-M were as likely to engage in serious institutional misconduct as offenders who failed to complete all sessions of the program or offenders who had been assigned to NSAP-M but who had not enrolled in the program. Offenders who completed NSAP-M were less likely to be readmitted to prison during the 24-month follow-up period. In fact, offenders who partially completed were 25% more likely to return to prison compared to those who completed NSAP-M. The Not Enrolled group did not differ from program completers in likelihood of returning to custody. At the end of the 2 year follow-up period, 52% of both the Complete and Not Enrolled groups remained in the community, compared to 39% of the Incomplete group. When participation in the National Maintenance Substance Abuse Program delivered in the community and release type were considered, the association between NSAP-M and return to custody was no longer significant, suggesting that release type and community aftercare may be key variables in the pathway between program exposure and returning to custody. Overall, offenders who did not participate in community aftercare were 41% more likely to return to custody than those who had some exposure to the program; offenders who were released on a non-discretionary basis were 53% more likely to return to custody. Why we did this study Ensuring the safety and security of staff and offenders within the institution environment and the safe reintegration offenders into the community are key priorities of Correctional Service Canada (CSC). Correctional interventions can help address offender behavior associated with criminal activity. Given that 80% of the federal offender population has a substance use problem, it is imperative that effective substance abuse interventions are available to these offenders. The current study examined the effectiveness of NSAP-M in addressing the needs of federally incarcerated male offenders who have an identified substance abuse problem. What we did The study examined the effect of NSAP-M on institutional misconduct and return to custody. The study sample consisted of 8,121 male offenders who had accessed NSAP-M between June 2004 and December 2009. Details: Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada, 2014. 63p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Report R-291: Accessed September 12, 2014 at: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/research/005008-0291-eng.shtml Year: 2014 Country: Canada URL: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/research/005008-0291-eng.shtml Shelf Number: 133297 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsDrug Abuse and AddictionDrug OffendersInmatesPrisoner AftercarePrisoner MisconductSubstance Abuse Treatment (Canada)Treatment Programs |
Author: Doherty, Sherri Title: An Examination of the Effectiveness of the National Substance Abuse Program Moderate Intensity (NSAP-M) on Institutional Adjustment and Post-Release Outcomes Summary: What it means The findings suggest that the National Substance Abuse Program - Moderate Intensity (NSAP-M) reduced the risks associated with substance use and criminality. The offenders with partial exposure to the program showed the poorest outcomes with respect to return to custody. The results also demonstrate the value of participating in community maintenance even with limited exposure to NSAP-M. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of offenders participated in community aftercare. What we found The occurrence of institutional misconduct was not significantly reduced by NSAP-M participation. Offenders who fully completed NSAP-M were as likely to engage in serious institutional misconduct as offenders who failed to complete all sessions of the program or offenders who had been assigned to NSAP-M but who had not enrolled in the program. Offenders who completed NSAP-M were less likely to be readmitted to prison during the 24-month follow-up period. In fact, offenders who partially completed were 25% more likely to return to prison compared to those who completed NSAP-M. The Not Enrolled group did not differ from program completers in likelihood of returning to custody. At the end of the 2 year follow-up period, 52% of both the Complete and Not Enrolled groups remained in the community, compared to 39% of the Incomplete group. When participation in the National Maintenance Substance Abuse Program delivered in the community and release type were considered, the association between NSAP-M and return to custody was no longer significant, suggesting that release type and community aftercare may be key variables in the pathway between program exposure and returning to custody. Overall, offenders who did not participate in community aftercare were 41% more likely to return to custody than those who had some exposure to the program; offenders who were released on a non-discretionary basis were 53% more likely to return to custody. Why we did this study Ensuring the safety and security of staff and offenders within the institution environment and the safe reintegration offenders into the community are key priorities of Correctional Service Canada (CSC). Correctional interventions can help address offender behavior associated with criminal activity. Given that 80% of the federal offender population has a substance use problem, it is imperative that effective substance abuse interventions are available to these offenders. The current study examined the effectiveness of NSAP-M in addressing the needs of federally incarcerated male offenders who have an identified substance abuse problem. What we did The study examined the effect of NSAP-M on institutional misconduct and return to custody. The study sample consisted of 8,121 male offenders who had accessed NSAP-M between June 2004 and December 2009. Details: Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada, 2014. 59p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Report No. R-290: Accessed October 9, 2014 at: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/research/005008-0291-eng.shtml Year: 2014 Country: Canada URL: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/research/005008-0291-eng.shtml Shelf Number: 133639 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsDrug Abuse and Addiction (Canada)Drug Abuse and CrimeDrug Abuse Treatment (Canada)Drug OffendersPrisoner AftercarePrisoner MisconductPrisoner ReentryPrisonsRecidivismRehabilitation |
Author: Victoria. Ombudsman Title: Investigation into the rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners in Victoria Summary: As this paper notes, Victoria's prison population has grown exponentially in the past few years, and with the impact of recent parole and sentencing reforms further growth is inevitable. In short, the prison population of 4,350 in June 2009 is projected to reach 7,169 in June 2015. The short and medium term consequences of that growth are equally inevitable. Although a massive building program has begun to increase bed capacity across the prison system, the expansion in prisoner numbers has resulted in backlogs in assessment, and affected the availability of programs and support both before and after release. It is also apparent that the reforms to the parole system are having unintended consequences - with the increasing difficulty in obtaining parole, an increasing number of prisoners are leaving without it, at the end of their full sentences, and therefore without the monitoring and reporting requirements that parole would impose. Nor will they necessarily have attended programs designed to reduce offending behaviour, one of the requirements for parole. It is not surprising, when a prison system is required to expand to the degree we are seeing in Victoria today, that the aspirations of the system as reflected in guidelines and procedures are not always met. This is in no way a reflection on the leadership of Corrections Victoria or the many dedicated people who work within the system. Details: Melbourne: Victorian Ombudsman, 2014. 31p. Source: Internet Resource: Discussion Paper: Accessed November 12, 2014 at: https://www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au/getattachment/280f4a06-5927-4221-bf64-d884ba6abaf9//publications/discussion-papers/discussion-paper-investigation-into-the-rehabilita.aspx Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: https://www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au/getattachment/280f4a06-5927-4221-bf64-d884ba6abaf9//publications/discussion-papers/discussion-paper-investigation-into-the-rehabilita.aspx Shelf Number: 134064 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsPrison AdministrationPrison ConditionsPrisoner ReentryPrisonersPrisons (Australia)Rehabilitation |
Author: Keehn, Emily Title: Evaluation of South Africa's Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services: Assessing its independence, effectiveness and community engagement Summary: The Judicial Inspectorate of Correctional Services (JICS) is a vital watchdog body that oversees South Africa's correctional system, mandated to inspect and report on the treatment of inmates. The correctional system faces many challenges such as overcrowding, high levels of HIV and Tuberculosis (TB), violence, and short staffing. The mass corruption and administrative struggles of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) that were documented in the 2006 report by the Jali Commission of Inquiry highlighted that the situation was so dire that the Department was arguably no longer governable. Abuse and rights violations remain in South Africa's prisons even though DCS has improved its performance in some respects, for example, by providing access to anti-retrovirals and condoms. The McCallum case, in which Bradley McCallum and a group of inmates in St. Albans prison were physically and sexually assaulted in a manner amounting to torture, and the riots and deaths in Groenpunt and St. Alban's prisons in early 2013, are examples of serious mismanagement and abuses that continue. In order for JICS to be an effective oversight body, it requires institutional independence, and cooperation and support from other public entities, particularly from DCS. JICS currently faces challenges in both these areas. This paper analyses these and other challenges, and explores ways in which the independence and success of JICS can be strengthened, drawing lessons from similar watchdog bodies in South Africa and various other countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, Mauritius and Zambia. Certain features of these institutions might serve as examples for how JICS could potentially be restructured to strengthen its ability to carry out its mandate. Lastly, JICS has also been a critical bridge between an often non-transparent correctional system and community organisations, other stakeholders, and the general public. Considering DCS' positioning of inmate rehabilitation as a community responsibility, there is a distinct role for civil society and community organisations to play in supporting JICS. Hence this paper outlines ways in which stakeholders can lend capacity. Details: Cape Town, South Africa: Sonke Gender Justice Network, 2013. 42p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 20, 2015 at: http://www.genderjustice.org.za/publication/evaluation-of-south-africas-judicial-inspectorate-for-correctional-services/ Year: 2013 Country: South Africa URL: http://www.genderjustice.org.za/publication/evaluation-of-south-africas-judicial-inspectorate-for-correctional-services/ Shelf Number: 134995 Keywords: Correctional AdministrationCorrectional ProgramsCorrections (South Africa)Prison ConditionsPrisonersPrisons |
Author: Arthur, Raymond Title: Evaluation of Prince's Trust Fairbridge Programme - Holme House Prison Project Summary: The goal of the evaluation was to examine how the Prince's Trust Programme at Holme House Prison works as a rehabilitative strategy, outlining both the dynamic processes involved and their immediate/short-term and medium/longer-term impacts on the lives of participants. This model was based on qualitative feedback from participants themselves as well as an analysis of the existing literature on the rehabilitation of young people leaving custody. The programme began running in October 2012 with funding for two years. The programme is underpinned by using Kolb's Learning Theory, Choice Theory and Reality Therapy. The key findings from the research suggest that participation in the Prince's Trust programme can potentially provide the starting-block for positive change in the lives of participants. Participants experience sustained positive, emotional, psychological and behavioural improvements. Engagement with this programme provides the potential to help give young offenders a chance to become non-offenders in the future by: - acting as a catalyst for change in the lives of offenders; - significantly improving confidence, listening and communication skills, tolerance, levels of self-expression, ability to cope with stress; - enhancing participants levels of engagement with further education and training; - positively impacting on the emotional well-being of the participants; - being responsive to the particular needs of participants. Details: Newcastle upon Tyne, UK: Northern Rock Foundation, 2014. 22p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 16, 2015 at: http://www.nr-foundation.org.uk/downloads/X_PTrust_HolmeHousePrisonEval_FinalReport_March2014.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.nr-foundation.org.uk/downloads/X_PTrust_HolmeHousePrisonEval_FinalReport_March2014.pdf Shelf Number: 135250 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsInmatesPrisoners (U.K.)RehabilitationYoung Adult Offenders |
Author: Thomas, Rachel Natasha Title: Using 'Equine-Assisted Therapy' to Aid the Rehabilitation of Young Offenders: An Evaluative Case Study of 'TheHorseCourse' Charity Summary: Interest in the potential of equine-assisted therapy and learning, where horses are incorporated in therapeutic, rehabilitative and learning interventions to ameliorate mental, emotional, behavioural and social issues, has increased over the past half century. Most recently, equine-assisted therapy has been adopted to aid the rehabilitation of offenders within the context of prisons. However, there is a demonstrable lack of peer-reviewed research and published evaluative studies examining the effectiveness of these emerging programmes. The purpose of this research was to produce a case study of TheHorseCourse, an equine-assisted offending behaviour programme at HMP/YOI Portland, and contribute to the evidential base regarding the programme's effectiveness. Given the infancy of research within this field, this research also aimed to contribute to the emerging knowledge base regarding the benefit of equine therapy interventions. The perceived impact and personal experiences of seventeen young offenders who participated on the course were explored. Secondary analysis of existing qualitative, semi-structured interviews with offenders following the completion of the course was conducted, drawing upon an open coding process to identify emergent themes. Results illustrated that TheHorseCourse has the potential to transform dysfunctional attitudes, thoughts and behaviour, improve engagement with the prison regime and develop skills in psychological resilience, emotion management and anger management. Based on these findings it appears possible to argue with some confidence that TheHorseCourse is an effective programme, contributing to the resocialisation and rehabilitation processes of offenders. There is a definite need for rigorous research that empirically validates the benefit of equine-assisted therapy if the programme is to be accepted and advanced. In the meantime, this research suggests that TheHorseCourse is a promising and innovative intervention, advancing further evidence of the potential value of this emerging therapeutic programme. Details: Southampton, UK: University of Southampton, 2013. 63p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed April 20, 2015 at: http://www.thehorsecourse.org/docs/thehorsecourse-dissertation-rachel-thomas.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.thehorsecourse.org/docs/thehorsecourse-dissertation-rachel-thomas.pdf Shelf Number: 135276 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsHorsesJuvenile DelinquentsRehabilitation Programs (U.K.)Therapeutic ProgramsYoung Adult Offenders |
Author: Bickle, Gayle Title: An Intermediate Outcome Evaluation of the Thinking for a Change Program Summary: The research literature on effective offender programming shows that cognitive behavioral programming creates larger reductions in recidivism than other types of offender programming. In light of this evidence, the ODRC adopted the Thinking for a Change (TFAC) program. In 2009, the department encouraged every prison to implement the TFAC program. The program teaches problem-solving skills, particularly when interacting with others, in order to increase rational thinking and lead to pro-social interactions and behaviors. In addition, through cognitive restructuring (aka, cognitive self-change), thought processes are modified to reduce thinking patterns that are conducive to criminal behavior, i.e., antisocial attitudes. This evaluation uses a quasi-experimental, non-random, two group pre-test post-test design, and it explores intermediate outcomes that examine whether the program has influenced participant's self-assessment of their social problem-solving skills and approaches and their acceptance of criminal attitudes. The Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised (SPSI-R) and the Texas Christian University Criminal Thinking Scales (CTS) were used to measure these components of the program. The findings are as follows: -Analyzing the SPSI-R data using GLMM (Generalized Linear Mixed Modeling), we find that, compared to a waiting list comparison group, TFAC group completers do significantly better than their comparison group counterparts on every measure, including positive problem orientation, negative problem orientation, rational problem solving and associated subscales (problem definition and formulation, generation of alternative solutions, decision making, solution implementation and verification), impulsivity/carelessness style, and avoidance style. Moreover, the level of significance of these findings indicates that TFAC does impact participants- understanding of social problem solving skills and approaches. Analyzing the TCU-CTS data using GLMM, we find that TFAC group completers do significantly better (p<.001) than their comparison group counterparts on all but one criminal thinking scale (measuring coldheartedness). The scales where TFAC completers do significantly better include entitlement, justification, power orientation, criminal rationality, personal irresponsibility, and the total criminal thinking score. The findings indicate that TFAC participants appear to reduce (or at least not increase) their acceptance of criminal attitudes when compared to non-participants. -Interaction effects were found between risk level and TFAC group participants on the SPSI-R survey, indicating the following: -Higher risk treatment group members showed significantly more improvement than those in the lower risk comparison group on all but one scale (avoidance style), including positive problem orientation, negative problem orientation, rational problem solving and associated subscales (problem definition and formulation, generation of alternative solutions, decision making, solution implementation and verification), and impulsivity/carelessness style. Lower risk treatment group members showed significantly more improvement on all of the scales than their lower risk comparison counterparts. Details: Columbus, OH: Ohio Dept. of Rehabilitation and Correction. Bureau of Research and Evaluation, 2014. 34p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 21, 2015 at: http://www.drc.ohio.gov/web/Reports/Eval_ThinkingforaChange.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://www.drc.ohio.gov/web/Reports/Eval_ThinkingforaChange.pdf Shelf Number: 135331 Keywords: Behavior ModificationCognitive Skills TrainingCorrectional ProgramsOffender Rehabilitation (Ohio)Problem-Solving SkillsTreatment Programs |
Author: Cooper, Maxine Title: The rehabilitation of male detainees at the Alexander Maconochie Centre Summary: The Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC) provides the ACT with its own prison. It was to be the first human rights-compliant prison in Australia. It accepted its first detainees in March 2009, having officially opened in September 2008. From 2004 to 2009, ACT Government statements and documents, which presented the philosophy for operating the AMC, consistently emphasised the importance of rehabilitation. A range of rehabilitation objectives were presented: reducing offending behaviour; and encouraging detainees to seek self-improvement, fulfil their potential and lead successful lives in the community. Male detainees are the focus of this performance audit as female detainees were the subject of an independent review in 2014 by the ACT Human Rights Commission. The Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC) is a relatively new prison. It incorporates innovative, human rights planning and design, expected to provide an environment to support and foster detainee rehabilitation. This has been compromised due to its relatively small size, multiple classifications, detainee association issues, mixed genders and the unexpected adverse affects of the interaction of these factors with the AMC's design. Lack of continuity in senior management in the first few years of operation contributed to the difficulties. More recently management practices have been effective in fostering improvements including a 'culture change', which emphasises respect in detainee and staff relationships, and have resulted in reductions in the use of force and lockdown hours. These improvements contribute to a healthier context for rehabilitating detainees. AMC planning for rehabilitation is ineffective as there is no rehabilitation planning framework, no evaluation framework and no finalised case management policy framework. With respect to management practices, while there have been improvements, there are inadequacies that need to be addressed including improving business planning, internal performance measures and routine quality assurance and evaluation of programs. As the prison population has increased, the ACT's detainee costs per day and utilisation rates have trended towards the Australian average. However, determining the effectiveness or efficiency of rehabilitation is problematic as there are no generally accepted comprehensive performance measures that can be used for this purpose and there is limited information on rehabilitation costs. Developing these measures will require a national approach and it would be unreasonable to expect the ACT to invest heavily in this given that it is a small jurisdiction with only one prison. Due to the lack of comprehensive performance measures and cost information an overall assessment of effectiveness or efficiency of AMC operations with respect to rehabilitation was not able to be made. However, the proposed levels of rehabilitation activities and services, as anticipated in planning (prior to the opening of the AMC), were assessed and found to be inadequate. Importantly this means a 'structured day' with 'purposeful activity' is not being achieved for many detainees. It is therefore likely that some detainees are bored and this can compromise their rehabilitation. The information management systems used at the AMC are inadequate. While action is underway to make improvements, it is important that priority be given to making the necessary changes as quickly as possible. Details: Canberra: Australia Capital City Auditor General, 2015. 205p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 16, 2015 at: http://www.audit.act.gov.au/auditreports/reports2015/Report%20No.%202%20of%202015%20The%20Rehabilitation%20of%20male%20detainees%20at%20the%20Alexander%20Maconochie%20Centre.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: http://www.audit.act.gov.au/auditreports/reports2015/Report%20No.%202%20of%202015%20The%20Rehabilitation%20of%20male%20detainees%20at%20the%20Alexander%20Maconochie%20Centre.pdf Shelf Number: 135440 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsMale InmatesMale PrisonersPrisonsRehabilitation |
Author: Denman, Kristine Title: Prison Program Utilization and Recidivism among Female Inmates in New Mexico Summary: Successful reintegration into the community after prison is of great import for both offenders and the public as nearly all prisoners will eventually return to the community. Current estimates indicate that the number of individuals incarcerated nationally in 2013 was 1,574,700, up slightly from 2012 (Glaze and Kaeble, 2014). While females consistently comprised approximately 7% of the total number of individuals incarcerated in state facilities nationally between 2000 and 2013, the rate at which the population of females in state custody grew exceeded that of males (21% between 2000 and 2010 versus 15% of males during the same time period) (ibid). Unfortunately, the majority of former prisoners recidivate. Among a national sample of prisoners released in 2005, over two-thirds were re-arrested within three years of release and nearly 77% were re-arrested within five years; recidivism was highest for property offenders (Durose, Cooper, and Snyder, 2014). While females were re-arrested at lower rates than males, 68% of females were re-arrested five years post-release (ibid). New Mexico has consistently experienced an increase in its female prison population over the past several years. In 2011, the female prison population exceeded the prison capacity, forcing the women to temporarily use a segregated pod at the nearby men's prison. Since fiscal year 2010, the women's prison population jumped by nearly 14% (NMSC, 2014). In response, the New Mexico Women's Correctional Facility (NMWCF) increased its bed capacity to 744 to accommodate the additional inmates. This is not the first time, though, that New Mexico experienced such increases in its female population. Indeed, in response to a burgeoning population, in 2003 the NMCD initiated a gender-responsive model aimed at promoting successful female reentry through appropriate programming (Carr, 2007). Prison programming is important for inmates. Many enter prison with deficiencies in their education, job histories, and in other aspects of their personal lives. Indeed, appropriate in-prison programming can help prisoners successfully reintegrate into society. Details: Albuquerque, NM: New Mexico Statistical Analysis Center, 2015. 82p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 23, 2015 at: http://isr.unm.edu/reports/2015/prison-program-utilization-and-recidivism-among-female-inmates-in-new-mexico.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://isr.unm.edu/reports/2015/prison-program-utilization-and-recidivism-among-female-inmates-in-new-mexico.pdf Shelf Number: 135768 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsFemale InmatesFemale OffendersFemale PrisonersGender-Specific ProgramsPrisoner ReentryRecidivism |
Author: Helmond, Petra Title: Inside Out: Program Integrity and Effectiveness of the Cognitive-Behavioral Program EQUIP for Incarcerated Youth Summary: This dissertation focuses on the program integrity and effectiveness of the cognitive-behavioral program EQUIP for incarcerated youth. The title 'Inside Out' refers to opening the 'black box' of the implementation of EQUIP. We will uncover the actual implementation of the EQUIP program by bringing out what happens inside group meetings of the EQUIP program. In another sense, we will turn the implementation of EQUIP inside out by assessing the program integrity of EQUIP and the impact of program integrity on the effectiveness of EQUIP in a detailed way. Last but not least, we hope to contribute to the 'what works' literature in correctional treatment with the knowledge on program integrity obtained in our research. In this way, the present dissertation hopes to contribute to keeping youths inside out, from inside correctional facilities to outside, out into society. Effective intervention outcomes can be established on the condition that interventions contain effective ingredients and that interventions are implemented with high levels of program integrity (see Table 1). Although program integrity is widely recognized as an important factor influencing the effectiveness of interventions, many studies still fail to include measures of program integrity (Durlak & DuPre, 2008; Landenberger & Lipsey, 2005; Roen, Arai, Roberts, & Popay, 2006). Although correctional treatment researchers have written extensively about the importance of program integrity for the success of rehabilitation programs (Andrews & Dowden, 2005; Gendreau, Goggin, & Smith, 1999; Landenberger & Lipsey, 2005; Lipsey, 2009), studies on the effectiveness of correctional treatment that include measures of integrity are almost nonexistent (Andrews & Dowden, 2005; Landenberger & Lipsey, 2005; Lipsey, 2009). Yet, it is crucially important to know whether interventions have been implemented with high levels of program integrity for two reasons. First, without any information on program integrity we do not know whether the experimental manipulation (i.e., the intervention) has succeeded and whether positive, negative or absent outcomes can and should be attributed to the intervention program (Dane & Schneider, 1998; Durlak & DuPre, 2008; Mowbray, Holter, Teague, & Bybee, 2003). Second, in general, studies have shown that higher levels of program integrity are related to higher levels of program effectiveness (Caroll et al., 2007; Durlak & DuPre, 2008). For instance, the intervention Multisystemic Therapy (MST) showed that higher levels of program integrity predicted higher effectiveness of MST, in terms of rates of youth criminal charges after the intervention (Schoenwald, Chapman, Sheidow, & Carter, 2009). In a correctional setting, Family Functional Therapy (FFT) and Aggression Replacement Training (ART) produced greater reductions in recidivism when implemented competently (Barnoski, 2004). A major shortcoming of this latter study was that the measurement of "competence" was based on post-hoc recollections of involved supervising staff rather than on real time measurement (Barnoski, 2004). In this dissertation, we have examined the program integrity and effectiveness of EQUIP, a cognitive-behavioral program aimed at reducing antisocial behavior of incarcerated offenders. Previous studies on the effectiveness of EQUIP showed diverse results (Brugman & Bink, 2011; Devlin & Gibbs, 2010; Leeman, Gibbs, & Fuller, 1993; Liau et al., 2004; Nas, Brugman, & Koops, 2005). However, none of these previous studies included measures of program integrity. Thus, for these previous studies on EQUIP it is unclear whether the program was actually implemented as intended and whether the diverse findings should be attributed to poor program implementation or to a lack of effectiveness of the EQUIP program itself. Therefore, the aim of this dissertation was to assess the program integrity of EQUIP, and to examine whether higher levels of program integrity would stimulate the effectiveness of EQUIP on program outcomes (i.e., cognitive distortions, social skills, and moral development) and behavioral outcomes (i.e., recidivism). Details: Utrecht: Universiteit Utrecht, 2013. 213p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed May 26, 2015 at: http://dspace.library.uu.nl/bitstream/handle/1874/272325/helmond.pdf?sequence=1 Year: 2013 Country: Netherlands URL: http://dspace.library.uu.nl/bitstream/handle/1874/272325/helmond.pdf?sequence=1 Shelf Number: 129791 Keywords: Cognitive-Behavioral TreatmentCognitive-Treatment ProgramsCorrectional ProgramsJuvenile OffendersJuvenile Treatment Programs |
Author: Davis, Lois M. Title: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Correctional Education: A Meta-Analysis of Programs That Provide Education to Incarcerated Adults Summary: After conducting a comprehensive literature search, the authors undertook a meta-analysis to examine the association between correctional education and reductions in recidivism, improvements in employment after release from prison, and learning in math and in reading. Their findings support the premise that receiving correctional education while incarcerated reduces an individual's risk of recidivating. They also found that those receiving correctional education had improved odds of obtaining employment after release. The authors also examined the benefits of computer-assisted learning and compared the costs of prison education programs with the costs of reincarceration. Key Findings Correctional Education Improves Inmates' Outcomes after Release - Correctional education improves inmates' chances of not returning to prison. - Inmates who participate in correctional education programs had a 43 percent lower odds of recidivating than those who did not. This translates to a reduction in the risk of recidivating of 13 percentage points. - It may improve their chances of obtaining employment after release. The odds of obtaining employment post-release among inmates who participated in correctional education was 13 percent higher than the odds for those who did not participate in correctional education. - Inmates exposed to computer-assisted instruction learned slightly more in reading and substantially more in math in the same amount of instructional time. - Providing correctional education can be cost-effective when it comes to reducing recidivism. Recommendations - Further studies should be undertaken to identify the characteristics of effective programs in terms of curriculum, dosage, and quality. - Future studies should incorporate stronger research designs. - Funding grants would be useful in helping further the field, by enabling correctional educators to partner with researchers and evaluators to evaluate their programs. - A study registry of correctional education evaluations would help develop the evidence base in the field, to inform policy and programmatic decisionmaking. Details: Santa Monica, CA: RAND, 2013. 85p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 26, 2015 at: http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR266.html Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR266.html Shelf Number: 129781 Keywords: Correctional EducationCorrectional ProgramsEx-Offender EmploymentRecidivismVocational Education and Training |
Author: New Mexico Corrections Department Title: Reducing Recidivism, Cutting Costs and Improving Public Safety in the Incarceration and Supervision of Adult Offenders Summary: New Mexico is facing a growing prison population projected to exceed current capacity within the next decade. In FY11, New Mexico spent almost $300 million to house an average of 6,700 offenders and supervise another 18 thousand offenders each day. The New Mexico Corrections Department (NMCD) released 3,440 offenders from prison into the community that same year and if current trends continue, over half of these inmates will return to prison within five years. Although NMCD takes up a lesser amount of general fund compared with public education, the average cost per inmate in New Mexico was $34 thousand in FY10, whereas the average cost per public school student the same year was $7,300. Costs of offenders who recidivate are substantial and result in general expenses to taxpayers and specific expenses to victims. The average offender will have three trips to a NMCD facility. Therefore the citizens of New Mexico pay costs of arresting, prosecuting, housing, rehabilitating and supervising offenders many times over. Investments in programs for reducing recidivism and promoting rehabilitation and treatment, in addition to security, are vital in improving public safety and reducing costs. The state continues to make significant investments in such programs. The NMCD provides more than 40 programs within facilities and more than 30 providers conduct programs outside of NMCD facilities designed to facilitate reentry and reduce recidivism. According to the Pew Center on the States' Public Safety Performance Project, states that strategically improve release preparation and community supervision will see falling recidivism rates. Instead of falling, New Mexico's recidivism is on the rise. The NMCD has potential to reduce costs and improve public safety. However, the NMCD currently suffers from gaps in program oversight, ineffective use of resources, and patterns of inefficient spending. Programming is inadequately targeted or tracked, resulting in expansion of unproven programs and reductions in evidence-based programming. Programs available in the community for offenders on supervision lack adequate accountability, have limited resources for high-risk offenders, and are not measured for performance by the NMCD, the Behavioral Health Collaborative (BHC), or OptumHealth. As a result, contract funds are left unspent at OptumHealth for years at a time. Reduced programming, in turn, is partially responsible for the fact that 278 inmates are serving parole inside prison. Significant opportunities exist to improve the incarceration and supervision of offenders in New Mexico. The NMCD has recognized many of these and have started working on improving reentry and use of evidence based programs before this report was issued. As a part of this evaluation, the LFC has partnered with Results First, a project of the Pew Center on the States and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, to implement a cost-benefit model that has the potential to be a key tool in strategic budget development. This report includes initial results from that model along with recommendations to improve assessment, management, and allocation of NMCD resources with a focus on development and expansion of evidence-based programs. If implemented, these recommendations will provide the tools needed to properly assess programs, result in cost-savings for the NMCD, and result in improved public safety outcomes. Details: Albuquerque, NM: New Mexico Corrections Department, 2012. 57p. Source: Internet Resource: Report #12-07: Accessed May 27, 2015 at: http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/handouts/BHS%20101812%20NM%20Corrections%20Department%20LFC%20Program%20Evaluation.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/handouts/BHS%20101812%20NM%20Corrections%20Department%20LFC%20Program%20Evaluation.pdf Shelf Number: 128720 Keywords: Correctional InstitutionsCorrectional ProgramsCosts of CorrectionsCosts of Criminal JusticeInmatesPrisonersPrisonsRecidivism |
Author: Bueche, James K., Jr. Title: Adult Offender Recidivism Rates: How effective in Pre-Release and Vocational Educational Programming and What Demographic Factors Contribute to an Offenders Return to Prison Summary: The primary purpose of this study was to determine if the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections' 100 hour pre-release program and vocational education had a significant impact on offender recidivism. Additionally, a model of predicating offender recidivism using demographic data was another aspect of the study. Offenders in the study were 404 offenders who completed the pre-release program, 404 offenders who completed vocational education and 808 offenders who composed the control group. All offenders were released from prison in the year of 2010, and if they returned to prison between their release and December 31, 2013, they were considered to have been a recidivist for the purpose of the study. The effectiveness of the 100 hour pre-release and vocational education was conducted using SPSS with the chi-square test for program significance. Based on the test, neither program was found to have a significant impact on recidivism. However, when examining percentages of return to prison between the three groups, vocational education offenders performed the best and offenders who completed the 100 hour pre-release program had the highest percentage of offenders returning to prison. The ability to develop a predictive model for recidivism utilizing select demographic factors was attempted using SPSS with the Binary Logistical Regression analysis. The demographic factors used were age, sex, race, marital status and education. A predictive model was unable to be established with this population. However, when looking at the population, being a male or a young offender was found to be predictors that were significantly tied with offender recidivism as individual characteristics. Based on the body of research and the findings of the study, recommendations concerning the 100 hour pre-release program and vocational education suggest these programs need additional components of cognitive development training and community supports to show a greater impact on recidivism. Also, the creation of a reliable and valid risk model based on the total offender population is necessary. By implementing effective programs and having the correct offenders entering these programs, a reduction in recidivism may be more significant. Details: Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University, 2014. 124p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed May 30, 2015 at: http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-07022014-161114/unrestricted/Bueche_diss.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-07022014-161114/unrestricted/Bueche_diss.pdf Shelf Number: 135809 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsEx-Offender EmploymentRecidivismVocational Education and Training |
Author: Gallagher, Brittany E. Title: Science and Sustainability Programs in Prisons: Assessing the Effects of Participation on Inmates Summary: This paper examines the effects of participating in prison-based science and sustainability programs on inmates. Washington's Sustainability in Prisons Project (SPP) hosts environmental and conservation work programs that incorporate elements shown by previous research to inspire positive changes in inmate attitudes. Many of these changes are associated with reductions in recidivism, including educational and vocational training, therapeutic benefits, and opportunities to contribute to the outside community. Participants in a statewide survey of inmates (n=293) included those with nine sustainability-related job types and a control group with non-sustainability-related jobs. Dunlap et al.'s (2000) New Ecological Paradigm Scale was used to assess environmental attitudes. An original "Life & Work" questionnaire assessed attitudes on pursuing education, work satisfaction, skill development, interpersonal relationships, outlook for the future, and health. Results from the Washington Department of Corrections (WDOC) Offender Needs Assessment were also examined for changes over time by participant job type. Questionnaire results show that offenders whose jobs involved more education/training, work with living things, and opportunities to contribute to the community tended to score higher on the NEP, indicating that these elements are associated with more pro-environmental attitudes. As pro-environmental attitudes are correlated with pro-social attitudes (Bamberg & Moser 2007; Hines et al. 1987), SPP and WDOC might consider incorporating more of these elements into other work programs. Details: Olympia, WA: Evergreen State College, 2013. 110p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed June 2, 2015 at: http://www.doc.wa.gov/aboutdoc/measuresstatistics/docs/gallagher_bmesthesis2013.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://www.doc.wa.gov/aboutdoc/measuresstatistics/docs/gallagher_bmesthesis2013.pdf Shelf Number: 129972 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsInmate Work ProgramsRecidivismRehabilitationVocational Education and Training |
Author: Utah. Legislative Auditor General Title: A Performance Audit of Inmate High School Education Summary: Our office was asked to compare the effectiveness and efficiency of inmate high school education programs in Utah's jails and prisons. Educational services are provided by the adult education program of the school district where an inmate is incarcerated. Programs include adult high school completion (AHSC), adult basic education (ABE), and English for speakers of other languages (ESOL). In 2011, 21 local school districts provided educational services to 5,268 inmate students in 23 jails and 2 state prisons. The Utah State Office of Education (USOE) administers the adult education programs, including tracking student demographics, contact hours, and outcomes on a compute-based information system. Inmate High School Education Costs Were about $5.4 Million in 2011. This chapter identifies the cost of educating inmate students. There are two primary revenue sources for inmate high school education: (1) a portion of the Adult Education budget distributed based on a formula that considers the number of enrollees, contact hours, and outcomes (diplomas/GEDs, credits, and academic level gains); and (2) Corrections Education funds distributed only to the two school districts with prison programs, Canyons and South Sanpete. In 2011, school districts with prison programs received significantly more funds ($1330 per student) than districts with jail programs ($653 per student). Based on this inequity, we recommend that USOE consider modifying the distribution formula to ensure that school districts receive an equitable portion of the Adult Education funds. USOE should also develop a formula to provide some of the Corrections Education funds to jail programs with students who are prison inmates housed in jails on a contractual basis. Inmates Achieve Academic Benefits. In 2011, the 5,268 inmates enrolled in adult education were awarded 853 diplomas and 330 GEDs, while achieving 12,003 high school credits and 2,143 level gains. On average, these outcomes per student were equivalent for both jail and prison programs but prison programs chose to focus mostly on issuing diplomas instead of GEDs. Comparisons show that inmate programs achieved significantly more than students in traditional adult education programs. Impact of High School Education on Employment Is Unclear. The primary purpose of educating inmates is to enhance their opportunities for employment upon release, which in turn makes it less likely they will return to jail. However, employment rates are not effectively evaluated. One factor impacting employment rates is identifying the incarceration status of former students. Our limited evaluation shows that many former students are still incarcerated and not available to work. Since education is beneficial only when inmates will soon be available for employment, we recommend that inmate programs give priority to students who are likely to leave the correctional facility within five years of participating in the education program. We also recommend that USOE and the Utah Department of Corrections partner to further evaluate the employment benefits of inmate education. Monitoring Is Needed to Ensure Inmate Contact Hours Are Reasonable. Comparisons of contact hours per student and per outcome revealed that some programs used an excessive amount of contact hours to educate inmates. But these students did not always demonstrate much progress toward achieving their goals. We recommend that USOE establish guidelines for the number of contact hours that are reasonable in relation to a student's accomplishments. Many Contact Hours Are Used for Students Who Already Have Diplomas. Many inmate students with diplomas continue to receive adult education services. Administrative rules state that adults with a high school diploma are eligible to receive services if tests show their functional educational level is less than a post-secondary level. Many students qualify, including students who have just been awarded a diploma. Although USOE policies require that priority be given to students lacking a diploma, some of these students continue receiving thousands of hours of services with little gain. We recommend that USOE consider placing limits on the number of contact hours used for students who already have a diploma. Details: Salt Lake City: Utah Legislative Auditor General, 2012. 45p. Source: Internet Resource: Report no. 2012-11: Accessed June 3, 2015 at: http://le.utah.gov/audit/12_11rpt.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://le.utah.gov/audit/12_11rpt.pdf Shelf Number: 129973 Keywords: Correctional EducationCorrectional ProgramsCosts of CorrectionsEducational ProgramsEx-Offender Employment |
Author: Vander Hart, Scott J. Title: Does Prison Substance Abuse Treatment Reduce Recidivism? Summary: The Iowa Department of Corrections faces a growing prison population expected to quickly exceed current capacities. Additionally, nine out of every ten offenders have a history of alcohol or drug problems - often both. Research suggests that alcohol and drugs lead to criminal behavior, which lead offenders right back to prison creating a vicious circle and placing a financial and societal burden on the state. However, research also shows that substance abuse treatment can minimize criminal behavior, and offers a way to shut the revolving prison door. Substance abuse programming attempts to change offender thinking patterns and behavior in order to facilitate re-entry back into the community, lessen substance abuse relapse and reduce recidivism. Yet nearly 60% of offenders with identified needs are not treated, and many lacking treatment are high risk. Additionally, the percentage of offenders returning to prison varies significantly from program to program and some programs can not show they have reduced recidivism when compared to offender groups with substance abuse problems and receiving no treatment at all. All of which minimize the effect substance abuse programming has in curbing prison population growth and reducing crime. The Department of Corrections intends to reduce recidivism through evaluation of program fidelity and implementation of evidence-based practices. Many of the programs are already structured to accommodate continuous improvement centered on desired outcomes. Population characteristics and the type and level of community support can also significantly influence recidivism. All of which call for the department to: - Enhance community support and other re-entry initiatives to reinforce desired behaviors in the community where offenders face situations that can lead to relapse and criminal behavior; and - Develop planning, evaluation and service delivery approaches that support integrated substance abuse programming across the prison and correctional system, and enable internal benchmarking of "best practices." Details: Des Moines: Iowa Department of Management, Performance Audit Program, 2007. 92p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 4, 2015 at: http://publications.iowa.gov/5092/1/DOC_Substance_Abuse_Report.pdf Year: 2007 Country: United States URL: http://publications.iowa.gov/5092/1/DOC_Substance_Abuse_Report.pdf Shelf Number: 135895 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsDrug OffendersRecidivismRehabilitationSubstance Abuse TreatmentTreatment Programs |
Author: James, Nathan Title: Risk and Needs Assessment in the Criminal Justice System Summary: The number of people incarcerated in the United States has increased significantly over the past three decades from approximately 419,000 inmates in 1983 to approximately 1.5 million inmates in 2013. Concerns about both the economic and social consequences of the country's growing reliance on incarceration have led to calls for reforms to the nation's criminal justice system. There have been legislative proposals to implement a risk and needs assessment system in federal prisons. The system would be used to place inmates in rehabilitative programs. Under the proposed system some inmates would be eligible to earn additional time credits for participating in rehabilitative programs that reduce their risk of recidivism. Such credits would allow inmates to be placed on prerelease custody earlier. The proposed system would exclude inmates convicted of certain offenses from being eligible to earn additional time credits. Risk and needs assessment instruments typically consist of a series of items used to collect data on behaviors and attitudes that research indicates are related to the risk of recidivism. Generally, inmates are classified as being high, moderate, or low risk. Assessment instruments are comprised of static and dynamic risk factors. Static risk factors do not change, while dynamic risk factors can either change on their own or be changed through an intervention. In general, research suggests that the most commonly used assessment instruments can, with a moderate level of accuracy, predict who is at risk for violent recidivism. It also suggests that no single instrument is superior to any other when it comes to predictive validity. The Risk-Needs-Responsivity (RNR) model has become the dominant paradigm in risk and needs assessment. The risk principle states that high-risk offenders need to be placed in programs that provide more intensive treatment and services while low-risk offenders should receive minimal or even no intervention. The need principle states that effective treatment should focus on addressing needs that contribute to criminal behavior. The responsivity principle states that rehabilitative programming should be delivered in a style and mode that is consistent with the ability and learning style of the offender. However, the wide-scale adoption of risk and needs assessment in the criminal justice system is not without controversy. Several critiques have been raised against the use of risk and needs assessment, including that it could have discriminatory effects because some risk factors are correlated with race; that it uses group base rates for recidivism to make determinations about an individual's propensity for re-offending; and that risk and needs assessment are two distinct procedures and should be conducted separately. There are several issues policymakers might contemplate should Congress choose to consider legislation to implement a risk and needs assessment system in federal prisons, including the following: - Should risk and needs assessment be used in federal prisons? - Should certain inmates be excluded from earning additional time credits? - Should risk assessment be incorporated into sentencing? - Should there be a decreased focus on punishing offenders? Details: Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, 2015. 23p. Source: Internet Resource: R44087: Accessed July 8, 2015 at: http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R44087.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R44087.pdf Shelf Number: 135962 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsInmatesPrisoner RehabilitationPrisonersRisk and Needs AssessmentRisk Assessment |
Author: Rubenfeld, Sara Title: Assessment of the Women's Violence Prevention Program Summary: Acknowledging a need for programming that would target the needs of repeatedly violent women offenders, the CSC developed WVPP. The goal of WVPP was to help women develop lifestyles that would be incompatible with violence and would therefore reduce their risk to re-offend violently. The current study is an assessment of the pilot phase of the WVPP. Results show that the Women's Violence Prevention Program (WVPP) was successfully implemented and that participants benefited in a number of areas. However, institutional adjustment did not appear to improve after program participation. Release outcomes were also examined; however, low-base rates of reoffending and limited follow-up precluded our ability to draw conclusive findings regarding the impact of WVPP on release outcomes at this time. In fiscal year 2010-2011, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) began implementing a new continuum of correctional programming for women. Given this new direction in program offerings, WVPP is no longer offered to women as it has been replaced by the High Intensity streams of the Women Offender Correctional Program (WOCP) and Aboriginal Women Offender Correctional Program (AWOCP). However, many of the skills, program material, and framework in the High Intensity Program are based upon and are similar to the WVPP; therefore, results continue to be relevant. Despite the similarities, the High Intensity Program is lengthier and of greater intensity, which may be better suited to the needs of violent women offenders than the WVPP. What we found Results of the pre- and post-program assessment battery and participant feedback reflected positively on the program. These results revealed significant differences in women's scores before and after completing WVPP. Specifically, upon completing the program, there was a decrease in women's expression of anger, hostility, and aggression; an increase in problem-solving and decision-making ability; and a decrease in criminal values and attitudes. Participants' feedback reflected positively on aspects relating to the program content, delivery, and program facilitators. Less favourable results emerged concerning women's involvement in minor and major institutional misconduct before and after programming. There were increases seen in the rate of minor institutional misconducts from six months before the program to six months after completing the program. The less favourable results in this area may be attributed to issues of offenders' responsivity (i.e. motivation) or program intensity (violent behavior may be best targeted through high intensity programs). Similarly, the program did not appear to impact release outcomes, although this could be attributable to the length of follow-up and low overall rates of reoffending rather than program efficacy. Details: Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada, 2014. 47p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Report No. R-330: Accessed August 10, 2015 at: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/005/008/092/005008-0330-eng.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Canada URL: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/005/008/092/005008-0330-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 136380 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsFemale InmatesFemale OffendersFemale PrisonersPrisoner MisconductViolence PreventionViolent Offenders |
Author: Michel, Steve Title: Use of Programs and Interventions with Canada's Federally Sentenced Radicalized Offenders Summary: What it means By examining the institutional and community-based interventions which the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) has utilized with radicalized offenders and the congruence of these interventions with identified needs, CSC achieves a more comprehensive understanding of how past and current intervention options address the needs of radicalized offenders. This knowledge can be used to inform any future intervention referrals for radicalized offenders, identify limitations in current intervention options, and highlight opportunities for adaptation of existing or new interventions for this group. What we found The three most commonly attended interventions by radicalized offenders were identified as institutional employment, education, and psychological services. When examining core correctional programming specifically, radicalized offenders were most likely to participate in living skills, violent offender, personal development, and substance abuse programming, however this involvement was much less frequently identified than participation in other institutional interventions such as social programs or chaplaincy. Those with an identified need in the education and employment domain were the most likely to participate in at least one intervention that addressed the education and employment domain. The next most common need domain addressed was community functioning (for those assessed by the Dynamic Factor Identification and Analysis, or DFIA) and personal/emotional needs (for those assessed by both the DFIA and its revised version DFIA-R). Least likely to be addressed were needs related to the marital/family domain; however this was a need area that was not frequently identified as problematic for radicalized offenders. Why we did this study Since 1989, CSC has applied the risk-need-responsivity (RNR) principle in order to identify and address the risks and criminogenic needs of the federally sentenced offender population. The effectiveness of this approach has been empirically assessed and validated on offender populations in general. However, to date, there has not been research to demonstrate the applicability of the RNR principle with radicalized offenders. This paper identifies the interventions in which radicalized offenders participated in relation to their identified criminogenic and violent extremist needs. Details: Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada, 2015. 26p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Report No. R-345: Accessed August 31, 2015 at: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/005/008/092/005008-0345-eng.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Canada URL: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/005/008/092/005008-0345-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 136628 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsCounter-terrorismRadicalizationRadicalized offendersRehabilitationRisk AssessmentTerrorism |
Author: Forrester, Pamela Title: Promising Intervention Approaches for Offenders with Cognitive Deficits Related to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and Other Neuropsychological Disorders Summary: What it means Offenders with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and other neurological disorders have complex, lifelong disorders that require adapted correctional practices and continued services from multiple providers. Although there is a scarcity of literature on evidence-based practices with this group, this review has identified best practice guidelines. What we found The evidence-base on what works for offenders with FASD and other neurological disorders is very sparse. There is, however, a growing consensus on promising practices that assist offenders with special needs in key aspects of their functioning. Many of these practices are currently in place within the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC). Based on the literature review, recommendations for institutional correctional practices include: - initial screening for cognitive deficits; - enhanced assessment for those identified with deficits, including an examination of functional deficits and a comprehensive assessment of criminogenic needs; - participation in adapted institutional programs (e.g., small groups; teaching only one or two concepts per session; repetition of material; coaching to demonstrate the application of the concepts). - staff training on strategies for working effectively with this subgroup of offenders; - provision of continuity of care through detailed pre-release planning; and, - case management provisions that broker and coordinate services while incarcerated. Based on the literature review, recommendations for community correctional practices include: - provision of supportive housing; - participation in comprehensive programs that include enhanced supportive case management and mentoring services; - access to meaningful and supported employment services; and, - consolidation of family and/or community support. Why we did this study FASD encompasses a range of conditions caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol which can result in neurophysiological changes to an individual's brain structure and function. Offenders with FASD and other neurological disorders may have difficulty adjusting to the correctional environment and benefiting from conventional programs because of deficits in executive functioning, memory, attention, and adaptive behavior. The purpose of the present study was to provide a comprehensive summary of the existing literature relevant to promising practices for adult offenders with these disorders. Details: Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada, 2015. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Draft: Research Report No. R-340: Accessed August 31, 2015 at: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/research/005008-r340-eng.shtml Year: 2015 Country: Canada URL: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/research/005008-r340-eng.shtml Shelf Number: 136629 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsDisabilityFetal Alcohol Spectrum DisorderInmatesNeurological DisordersSpecial Needs Inmates |
Author: Erisman, Wendy Title: A Reentry Education Model Supporting Education and Career Advancement For Low-Skill Individuals in Corrections Summary: More than 700,000 incarcerated individuals leave federal and state prisons each year (Guerino, Harrison, and Sabol 2012), making reentry into the community a major concern for federal, state, and local governments. Too many of these individuals do not reintegrate successfully into society; within three years of release, four out of 10 prisoners will have committed new crimes or violated the terms of their release and be reincarcerated (The Pew Center on the States 2011). This cycle of catch-and-release costs states more than $50 billion annually (National Association of State Budget Officers 2011). Moreover, the number of those cycling in and out of our nation's prisons not only jeopardizes public safety, but also ravages families and their communities. According to a 2010 Pew Charitable Trusts report: - Approximately 2.7 million children have an incarcerated parent, and these children are more likely to be expelled or suspended from school than children without an incarcerated parent. - One in three black men, one in eight white men, and one in 14 Hispanic men between the ages of 20 and 34 without a high school credential are incarcerated. - Formerly incarcerated men earn approximately 11 percent less per hour and 40 percent less per year than those who have never been incarcerated. Unfortunately, many offenders are ill-equipped to break the cycle of catch-and-release because they lack the education and workforce skills needed to succeed in the labor market and the cognitive skills (e.g., the ability to solve problems and reason) needed to address the challenges of reentry. In fact, approximately 40 percent of federal and state prisoners lack a high school credential, compared to less than 20 percent of the general population. Even fewer have completed any college course work (Greenberg, Dunleavy, and Kutner 2007). Many prisoners also have limited work experience and struggle to find employment once released (Gould, Weinberg, and Mustard 2002; Yahner and Visher 2008). They also typically have cognitive deficits, which are associated with criminal behavior (Andrews et al. 1990; MacKenzie 2006; MacKenzie 2012). Although most state and federal prisons offer adult education and career and technical education (CTE) programs and some offer postsecondary education, participation in these programs has not kept pace with the growing prison population (Western, Schiraldi, and Ziedenberg 2003). Similarly, those under community supervision (parole or probation) often do not participate in education and training programs (Visher, Debus, and Yahner 2008). Possible reasons for these low participation rates include lack of programs or awareness of program opportunities; reduced services because of state budget constraints; insufficient personal motivation; and competing demands (e.g., employment) that may take precedence over pursuing education (Crayton and Neusteter 2008; Visher, De-bus, and Yahner 2008). It is not surprising, therefore, that formerly incarcerated individuals cited education, job training, and employment as vital needs not generally met during incarceration or after release (Visher and Lattimore 2007). Education and training opportunities for these individuals, who often move in and out of prison, can be further thwarted by a lack of coordination and communication among the institution and community-based education programs and their partners providing services. These disconnects include: - Differing standardized assessments and curriculum and lack of articulation agreements (a legal agreement matching courses between education institutions), making student transfers from one program to another difficult. - Misinterpretation of federal and state privacy laws and lack of links among data systems, making it difficult for programs to get a comprehensive picture of their students' backgrounds, avoid duplication of effort, and track outcomes. - A perception among corrections officials (e.g., wardens, parole and probation officers, and the court) and policymakers that individuals in corrections should not receive educational services; this, in turn, can make it difficult to enforce student participation and establish supportive education and reentry policies. - Inadequate staff training, resulting in ineffective instruction. - Limited funds, leading to long waiting lists for programs (U.S. Department of Education 2009; U.S. Department of Education 2011). Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, 2015. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 31, 2015 at: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/AdultEd/reentry-model.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/AdultEd/reentry-model.pdf Shelf Number: 136639 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsOffender ReintegrationPrisoner ReentryVocational Education and Training |
Author: Tolbert, Michelle Title: Educational Technology in Corrections 2015 Summary: Technology has transformed the way we approach most daily tasks and activities. It plays a role in how we apply for and perform on a job, communicate with friends and family, access government and other services, manage our finances, and purchase entertainment. Technology also enables our learning. Recognizing the positive impact technology can have on education, President Obama, with the support of the U.S. Department of Educations Office of Educational Technology, developed the National Education Technology Plan. It outlines how our education system could use advanced technologies to support student learning regardless of backgrounds, languages, and disabilities; instruction and the professional development of teachers; data collection and analysis; and program improvement (U.S. Department of Education 2010). A corresponding plan describes how these technologies can be applied to the adult education field and adult learners (Russell et al. 2015). As states, districts, higher education institutions, and other education providers implement these plans, education programs in correctional facilities are being left behind. The policies and practices of federal, state, and local corrections agencies, including the juvenile justice system, severely hinder the ability of correctional education programs to enable learning through technology. For example, according to a 2013 survey of state correctional education directors, although most states offer students limited use of computers in their prisons, less than half reported that one or more of their prisons provided students with off-line access to Internet content and even fewer allowed restricted Internet access (Davis et al. 2014). The primary concern about adopting educational technology in corrections is the potential for security breaches. Other reasons include, but are not limited to, insufficient resources and staff capacity to purchase, implement, maintain, and monitor advanced technologies. Despite these legitimate concerns, a sea change is occurring in corrections. As advanced technologies are integrated into other areas of correctional facility life (e.g., family communications via e-mail and video conferencing, and access to health and treatment services via telemedicine), a growing number of corrections agencies and facilities and their education partners are exploring ways to securely and cost-effectively increase access to educational technology. Specifically, they are cautiously adopting advanced technologies to help prepare students to join our globally networked society by developing and improving their computer and digital literacy skills, making educational gains around the clock through computer-assisted instruction, accessing college courses, and preparing for employment; provide students with access to online assessments (e.g., online high school equivalency tests and industry-recognized certification exams), and instructors and administrators with the ability to measure student progress for program improvement purposes; expand the professional development resources available to instructors and equip them with technology-based instructional tools (e.g., open educational resources [OERs], learning management systems, and flipped classrooms) to enhance the classroom experience; support an education continuum for incarcerated individuals through data sharing, and aligning prison-based education and training programs with those in the community; and expand the reach of correctional education services to provide more incarcerated individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to obtain livingwage employment, become productive members of society, and exit court supervision upon release. In addition to strengthening correctional education services, advanced technologies can help correctional education programs have a greater impact on recidivism rates. As documented by a recent meta-analysis of the effects of education on recidivism and postrelease employment outcomes for incarcerated adults, inmates who participated in correctional education programs were 43 percent less likely to return to prison than those who did not enroll (Davis et al. 2014). Advanced technologies could provide the means to expand correctional education servicesto reach more students and to offer broader, more diverse curriculumthereby further lowering recidivism rates. ease the reentry process by allowing incarcerated individuals to prepare for release by researching employment opportunities; applying for jobs, financial aid, and benefits; enrolling in college; addressing outstanding legal issues; searching for and securing housing; and maintaining or developing personal relationships with their community support networks. Most, if not all, of these prerelease activities require some form of computer or telecommunication device and Internet access. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, 2015. 40p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 31, 2015 at: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/AdultEd/policybriefedtech.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/AdultEd/policybriefedtech.pdf Shelf Number: 136641 Keywords: Correctional EducationCorrectional ProgramsEducational ProgramsTechnologyVocational Education and Training |
Author: Victorian Ombudsman Title: Investigation into the rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners in Victoria Summary: The Ombudsman announced her investigation in July 2014, prompted by the growth in prisoner numbers, concerns with rates of re-offending and the cost to the Victorian community. The investigation looked at: whether services provided to prisoners are effective in reducing re-offending the impact of prisoner numbers on these services and whether there are any particular groups within the prisoner population that are not adequately being supported. Details: Melbourne: Victorian Ombudsman, 2015. 161p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 25, 2015 at: https://www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au/getattachment/5188692a-35b6-411f-907e-3e7704f45e17 Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: https://www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au/getattachment/5188692a-35b6-411f-907e-3e7704f45e17 Shelf Number: 136871 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsOffender Reentry Offender Rehabilitation Prisoners |
Author: Human Impact Partners Title: Turning on the TAP: How Returning Access to Tuition Assistance for Incarcerated People Improves the Health of New Yorkers Summary: Turning on the TAP: How Returning Access to Tuition Assistance for Incarcerated People Improves the Health of New Yorkers set out to answer the question: How will providing college education to people in prison affect the health and well-being of those people, their families, and their communities? Our conclusion is that expanding access to college education for people in New York state prisons would benefit the overall health and well-being of the communities that formerly incarcerated people return to, as well as the individuals who receive the education, and their families. And yet, despite these benefits, funding through the state-s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) - which provides grants to low-income New York residents to help them afford college - is unavailable to people who are incarcerated. This wasn't always the case. Until 1994, TAP and its federal equivalent, the Pell Grant Program, helped incarcerated people in prison enroll in courses offered by public and private colleges. Despite evidence of the benefits of correctional education, as part of the "tough on crime" wave that engulfed federal, state, and local policy-making in the early to mid-1990s, Pell and TAP grant eligibility was rescinded for people in New York State prison. After such funding was eliminated, in-prison college education programs in New York almost disappeared. Today, there are approximately 53,000 people in New York state prisons, 59% of whom have a verified high school diploma and could therefore be eligible for TAP funding if it were made available to them. Legislators in New York State are considering S975/A2870 (2015), a bill that would repeal the ban on incarcerated people receiving financial aid for college education through TAP. Should the legislation pass, people in prison would have increased access to educational resources and, ultimately, experience increased educational attainment. Data generated through the project shows how such legislation would be good for health and health determinants: The benefits of in-prison college education mean that when students return to the community, they engage in lower rates of crime and have a higher level of civic engagement when compared to other formerly incarcerated people returning to the community. College teaches critical thinking skills that help people better understand and take responsibility for the consequences of their actions. It also improves their chances of getting a job, reuniting with their families, finding their place in society, not committing new offenses, and not returning to prison. Benefits of in-prison college education include improved parenting behaviors, higher family income, increased likelihood that children and family members achieve higher levels of education, and reduced likelihood that children experience behavioral problems and get involved in the criminal justice system themselves. College education improves relationships and reduces conflicts, resulting in a safer prison environment. In-prison college education is a cost-effective investment in reducing crime and recidivism. Every $1 million spent on building more prisons prevents about 350 crimes, but the same amount invested in correctional education prevents more than 600 crimes. Data from existing college education programs surveyed through the project show that lack of resources is one reason that only one-third of prison applicants are accepted for college study. If tuition assistance funding was restored, existing programs would be able to enroll over 3,200 people a year. Based on such findings, the report makes a series of recommendations to ensure that such health benefits actually accrue - foremost among these is a recommendation to restore TAP funding for incarcerated people. Details: Oakland, CA: Human Impact Partners, 2015. 45p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 16, 2015 at: http://www.turnonthetapny.org/docs/HIP_TAP_Report_final.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://www.turnonthetapny.org/docs/HIP_TAP_Report_final.pdf Shelf Number: 137300 Keywords: Colleges and UniversitiesCorrectional EducationCorrectional Programs |
Author: Anderson, Kirsten Title: Music Education and Experience in Scottish Prisons Summary: This research presents the first empirical study of music provision in Scottish prisons and explores the potential benefits of music engagement for prisoners, with a focus on young offenders' experience. The scope of the study begins with an investigation into music provision in prisons throughout Scotland by means of a small-scale survey. This survey showed that despite a lack of documentation, music is currently present in Scottish prisons and has been previously, albeit intermittently. Music provision included a range of activity: learning how to play musical instruments, singing, music theory, song-writing and composition. Subsequently, two music intervention studies were conducted with young offenders at HM Young Offenders Institution Polmont. The first study was a ten-week project with three participant groups: a music group, an art group and a control group. Pre- and post-interviews and measures were used to assess participants' self-esteem, self-control, behaviour, literacy skills and engagement with education. Numerous difficulties were identified with conducting such research in a prison environment, including the recruitment process and using standard assessment measures. However, results from the small number of men involved showed an increase in engagement with education for all three groups during the project and a steady continued increase in education engagement for the music group after the project ended. Additionally, the music and art groups showed a small increase in mean scores for self-esteem, positive emotions reported and self-control. The second study examined two music interventions with young offenders as part of the year-long Inspiring Change pilot project. This study used interviews and session review forms with education staff and arts practitioners to document the process of the organisations involved in the planning and implementation of the projects. Focus groups with young offenders were carried out to gather their opinions of the programmes. Participants expressed that they especially appreciated the high level of professionalism of the arts practitioners, working as a group, and being recognised as making an individual contribution towards a final project. In addition to the survey and intervention studies, a Knowledge Exchange workshop was designed for music tutors in Scottish prisons to meet, learn about research on music in prisons, and exchange ideas for best practice. A workbook and afternoon workshop format was investigated in terms of its effectiveness and was found to be beneficial for music tutors in learning more about the research and practice of teaching music in prisons. This thesis contributes to the developing research on the benefits of music provision for prisoners and provides a baseline of music provision in Scottish prisons for further study. Details: Edinburgh: University of Edinburgh, 2011. 482p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed November 28, 2015 at: https://www.era.lib.ed.ac.uk/handle/1842/9598 Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.era.lib.ed.ac.uk/handle/1842/9598 Shelf Number: 137365 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsMusic EducationPrisoners |
Author: Concert Group Logistics (CGL) Title: Study of Operations of the Florida Department of Corrections Summary: The Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA), a joint entity of the Florida Legislature (Legislature), solicited competitive bids in order to award a contract with an independent consultant for a Study of Operations of the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC). The goal of the solicitation process was to fulfill the requirements of Chapter 2015-232, Laws of Florida (also known as Senate Bill 2500-A) passed during a special 2015 session of the Legislature. The bill states: "From the funds in Specific Appropriations 2667 and 2668, $300,000 in nonrecurring general revenue funds is appropriated for the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to contract with an independent consultant to study the operations of the Department of Corrections with regard to the incarceration of inmates. The contractor shall identify both positive and negative aspects of the department's operations and shall prepare a report of its findings, including recommendations for improvements. The report shall be submitted to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives no later than December 1, 2015." The solicitation sought a consultant to conduct an immediate, thorough, and detailed study of the operations of the FDC with reference to applicable best management practices in the corrections industry. Consistent with the time requirements contained in Senate Bill 2500-A, the final report for this study was required to be submitted no later than November 30, 2015. Details: Tallahassee, FL: Florida Legislature, Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, 2015. 178p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 8, 2016 at: http://www.oppaga.state.fl.us/MonitorDocs/Reports/pdf/15-FDC.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://www.oppaga.state.fl.us/MonitorDocs/Reports/pdf/15-FDC.pdf Shelf Number: 137806 Keywords: Correctional AdministrationCorrectional ProgramsCorrections OfficersPrison GuardsPrisonsRisk and Needs Assessment |
Author: Gordon, Liz Title: Formative Evaluation report Summary: This brief formative evaluation examines issues arising from the development of a Pillars family/whanau re-integration programme in May and June 2011. The evaluation report is to be submitted to the Department of Corrections along with the written programme and materials that have been developed into the Close to Home package. Most prisoners are parents, and most do not keep in good touch with their children and whanau through the sentence. Yet the research makes it clear that prisoners who get good support from their families/whanau are far less likely to re-offend than those who do not. A range of programmes were researched in developing the programme, and include information on what kind of programme, eligibility issues, length, content and actual and expected outcomes for the courses. This information was used in developing the structure and content of Close to Home. The programme was developed over 6-8 weeks and has been written as a programme workbook for delivery. It is summarised in this report. Features of the programme include: the use of high quality assessment tools and workbooks that have been developed for other programmes; a significant amount of work with the prisoner and whanau present; a strong focus on planning reintegration; and the use of a range of agencies through the Strengthening Families process to facilitate prisoner re-entry. This approach allows for the particular issues facing individual families to be addressed, and for families/whanau to have access to the resources of a wide range of agencies. The programme The programme involves significant pre-release work and also post-release guiding and support. Stakeholders support family/whanau re-integration, although they have a range of different views as to what it entails. There is acknowledgement that prisons currently have not focussed adequately on the role of the family/whanau, nor on the prisoner as a parent. The project materials were analysed. A wide range of good quality materials are available and will be used at various points through the pilot project. Core tools include the Time's Up workbook and the assessment tools, among others. The main findings of the formative evaluation are that a very effective programme has been assembled using a range of resources from a variety of sources. Key risks include the need to bring in a new staff member for the pilot programme phase, and the difficulties in tailoring courses to individual needs. The main risk for the pilot programme is timeliness, as all aspects of the programme will need to be complete within three months. Details: Christchurch, NZ: Pukeko Research Ltd., 2012. 26p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 10, 2016 at: http://www.pillars.org.nz/images/stories/pdfs/formative_evaluation_of_close_to_home.pdf Year: 2012 Country: New Zealand URL: http://www.pillars.org.nz/images/stories/pdfs/formative_evaluation_of_close_to_home.pdf Shelf Number: 137834 Keywords: Children of PrisonersCorrectional ProgramsFamilies of InmatesMale InmatesMale PrisonersPrisoner ReentryPrisoner RehabilitationReintegration |
Author: Gordon, Liz Title: Formative Evaluation of the Activities Centre at Christchurch Men's Prison Summary: Should children visit their incarcerated parent in prison? Do prison policies and practices impede or support the maintenance of prisoners' family ties? These questions have been the focus of research both internationally and in New Zealand. The Pillars Inc research project (Gordon, 2009, 2011) which examined the situation of the children of prisoners in New Zealand, found that regulations around prison visiting had become much more stringent in recent years and few opportunities were evident for active parenting in the prison environment. Following Gordon's research, a joint prison/Pillars committee has worked to set up a pilot Activities Centre in the low security visiting area of Christchurch Men's Prison. The Centre's aim was to facilitate father and child bonding and contribute to better family outcomes. In conjunction with this initiative, an evaluation project was undertaken between April and June 2012. The evaluation data was gathered from a number of sources: a review of literature, paperwork, meeting minutes and materials associated with the Centre's background and development; attendance at the Centre over two days to observe, write field notes and undertake evaluative interviews with prisoners and their families; a series of stakeholder interviews. Setting up the Activities Centre was shared, using a task-orientated action model; Pillars were responsible for stocking and staffing the Centre, and Corrections undertook the capital development and furnishings. Preparations went smoothly. Three existing rooms in the visiting centre in Christchurch Mens' Prison were furnished as Arts and Crafts, reading and DVD rooms. The outdoor area was also improved, with a series of painted panels plus the addition of a hopscotch area. High quality toys, games, books and DVDs were purchased. The dates and times of the rooms' availability were well advertised beforehand and visitors could book half hour slots in advance. Although booking was minimal, over the two days that the Activities Centre was evaluated, rooms were full with families at all times. The evaluation visits identified some resource and management issues in accommodating the demand for rooms. Some conditions, such as not taking books, toys etc out of specified rooms, were relaxed in the interest of the families and children. The observer's notes provide a picture of the families' use of the Activities Centre and show that the initiative was highly successful, encouraging 'more normal' parental interactions with children, also providing privacy and quiet. In some cases some transformational changes in children's demeanour and behaviour were observed. The brief survey, undertaken with fourteen families over the two days, revealed that the families clearly enjoyed the space and the only complaint was that the Activities Centre was closed too often. The most popular activities are drawing, colouring and stickers, followed by dolls and cars. Overall the satisfaction ratings for the Activities Centre were very high. Providing adequate staffing was the most problematic issue as volunteers were hard to find. Consequently the centre was run by a Pillars social worker, who was paid for this work. This person believes that two paid staff should be employed to run the Activities Centre. This would allow the centre to open each week and volunteers could still be used as support. The advantage of paid staff is experience, adequate ongoing training, and possibly better skills. However, the need for staffing may make it less likely that other prisons might adopt a similar model. The stakeholders interviewed, consisting of two Corrections staff, two Pillars staff and one volunteer, were strongly supportive of children visiting their parents in prison; in particular, they found value in many aspects of the Activities Centre. The comments mainly focussed on relationship issues and the opportunity for parenting in the prison environment. However, stakeholders also agreed that more needed to be done generally to improve parent/child relationships when a parent is in prison and all offered suggestions about this. Several stakeholders cautioned that the existence and relatively cheap transformation of the rooms was a bonus, but they raised issues about (a) whether this is the best model and (b) whether it is replicable. Various institutional factors were also mentioned. The establishment of a pilot Activities Centre at Christchurch Mens' Prison facilitates father and child bonding and contributes to better family outcomes. The potential benefit of this initiative is clear and other correctional facilities in New Zealand might consider adopting a similar workable model. Details: Christchurch, NZ: Pukeko Research Ltd, 2012. 29p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 11, 2016 at: http://www.pillars.org.nz/images/stories/pdfs/ac_evaluation_report.pdf Year: 2012 Country: New Zealand URL: http://www.pillars.org.nz/images/stories/pdfs/ac_evaluation_report.pdf Shelf Number: 137841 Keywords: Children of PrisonersCorrectional ProgramsFamilies of InmatesMale InmatesMale PrisonersParenting |
Author: Kindgren, Johanna Title: Work, education and treatment in Swedish prisons. A study on occupational activities for inmates Summary: The law requires inmates in Swedish prisons to participate in occupational activities during their sentence. The occupational activities may take the form of work, education, treatment programmes, or another structured activity. An inmate's repeated refusal to participate in assigned occupational activities may lead to a misconduct report. However, most inmates want to go to their occupational activities since they feel that it makes life in prison more manageable and makes time pass more quickly. Inmate participation in occupational activities can also be positive from a safety perspective; it can lead to fewer conflicts in the wings and closer contact between personnel and inmates. Last, but not least, occupational activities can contribute to the inmate's rehabilitation and thus reduce the risk of recidivism. Although occupational activities are a central element of the sentence, there are no comprehensive studies regarding its content and quality. The Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention (Bra) has therefore been instructed by the Government to survey occupational activities in Swedish prisons. The situation in Sweden and other relevant countries is also to be compared. Finally, Bra will evaluate the positive effects of occupational activities on the inmates and shed light on how they can be developed. The study is based on Bra's visits to twelve prisons in which a total of almost 200 people, both personnel and inmates, were interviewed. Two surveys were also sent out, one to conditionally released persons and one to heads of each prison. In addition, statistics from the Prison and Probation Service and the Swedish Public Employment Service were compiled for the report. Details: Copenhagen: Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention (Bra): 2015. 12p. Source: Internet Resource: English summary of Bra report 2015:20: Accessed March 1, 2016 at: https://www.bra.se/download/18.31d7fffa1504bbffea065d06/1448970661178/2015_20_Work%2C+training+and+treatment+in+Swedish+prison_r.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Sweden URL: https://www.bra.se/download/18.31d7fffa1504bbffea065d06/1448970661178/2015_20_Work%2C+training+and+treatment+in+Swedish+prison_r.pdf Shelf Number: 138007 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsPrisonersPrisonsTreatment ProgramsVocational Education and Training |
Author: Clark, Valerie A. Title: An Outcome Evaluation of a Prison-Based Life Skills Program: The Power of People Summary: The Power of People (PoP) is a personal leadership development course that was originally developed in a non-correctional setting and now serves as a prison-based life skills course. This study examined PoP's effect on four different types of recidivism: rearrest, reconviction, reincarceration, and technical violation revocation. The results of the analyses revealed that PoP does not have a significant effect on any of the four measures of recidivism. Following established principles of effective correctional treatment, we make several recommendations that could improve PoP's effectiveness on recidivism outcomes. Overall, this study provides guidance on how to make programs not originally designed for correctional systems into effective recidivism-reducing tools. Details: St. Paul, MN: Minnesota Department of Corrections, 2013. 34p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 22, 2016 at: http://www.doc.state.mn.us/PAGES/files/6313/8126/4761/Clark_and_Duwe_-_MnDOC_Evaluation_of_Power_of_People_-_October_2013.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://www.doc.state.mn.us/PAGES/files/6313/8126/4761/Clark_and_Duwe_-_MnDOC_Evaluation_of_Power_of_People_-_October_2013.pdf Shelf Number: 138360 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsLife-Skills Program Prisoner Reentry Rehabilitation Programs |
Author: Duwe, Grant Title: Moving On: An Outcome Evaluation of a Gender-Responsive, Cognitive-Behavioral Program for Female Offenders Summary: We used a quasi-experimental design to evaluate the effectiveness of Moving On, a gender-responsive, cognitive-behavioral program designed for female offenders. Between 2001 and 2013, there were two distinct periods in which Moving On was administered with, and without, fidelity among female Minnesota prisoners. To determine whether program integrity matters, we examined the performance of Moving On across these two periods. Using multiple comparison groups, we found that Moving On significantly reduced two of the four measures of recidivism when it was implemented with fidelity. The program did not have a significant impact on any of the four recidivism measures, however, when it operated without fidelity. The growth of the "what works" literature and the emphasis on evidence-based practices have helped foster the notion that correctional systems can improve public safety by reducing recidivism. Given that Moving On's success hinged on whether it was delivered with integrity, our results show that correctional practitioners can take an effective intervention and make it ineffective. Providing offenders with evidence-based interventions that lack therapeutic integrity not only promotes a false sense of efficacy, but it also squanders the limited supply of programming resources available to correctional agencies. The findings suggest that ensuring program integrity is critical to the efficient use of successful interventions that deliver on the promise of reduced recidivism. Details: St. Paul, MN: Minnesota Department of Corrections, 2015. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 22, 2016 at: http://www.doc.state.mn.us/PAGES/files/2014/3751/2704/Moving_On_Evaluation_-_July_2015.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://www.doc.state.mn.us/PAGES/files/2014/3751/2704/Moving_On_Evaluation_-_July_2015.pdf Shelf Number: 138361 Keywords: Cognitive SkillsCorrectional ProgramsEvidence-Based ProgramsFemale InmatesFemale OffendersFemale PrisonersGender Specific ProgramsRehabilitation |
Author: Duwe, Grant Title: What Works with Minnesota Prisoners: A Summary of the Effects of Correctional Programming on Recidivism, Employment, and Cost Avoidance Summary: Since 2006, the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) has completed more than 20 major research studies and program evaluations. Of these reports, 13 have evaluated programs that have operated within Minnesota DOC facilities. This report summarizes the impact of these programs on recidivism, post-release employment, and cost avoidance. Program Characteristics The characteristics of the 13 programs that have been evaluated are shown in Table 1. Three of the programs (MCORP, PRI, and SOAR) were prisoner reentry pilot projects that are no longer operating. As noted in Table 1, however, five other programs currently operating in the DOC focus on prisoner reentry. Five of the programs evaluated provide participants with educational/ employment programming. Two of the programs offer cognitive-behavioral programming (chemical dependency and sex offender treatment), while another two are early release programs (CIP and work release). The length of the programs ranges from a minimum of two months (work release and power of People) to a maximum of thirty (IFI). Seven of the programs deliver services in both prison and the community, while five offer programming only in prison. Work release was the only one evaluated that provides programming strictly in the community. Offenders placed on supervised release were the target populations for all three of the prisoner reentry programs that were evaluated. Of the remaining 10 programs, five include recidivism risk in the offender selection process, while the remaining five tend to target offenders in general. Of the five that incorporate risk into the selection process, two focus on lower-risk offenders because they are early release programs. Each of the 13 programs evaluated was designed to focus on one or more criminogenic needs (i.e., factors associated with recidivism). The most commonly addressed needs areas are anti-social cognition and education/employment (each of these needs areas is addressed by eight programs). Five of the programs target substance abuse, while three focus on anti-social associates. Program Evaluation Characteristics The descriptive characteristics for each program evaluation are provided in Table 2. With 3,570 offenders, the work release program evaluation has the largest sample size to date. The MnCOSA sample, on the other hand, is the smallest with 62 offenders. All but the chemical dependency (CD) treatment evaluation examined offenders released over a period of multiple years. At 9.3 years, the sex offender treatment evaluation had the longest average follow-up period. In contrast, the PRI evaluation had the shortest follow-up period (one year average). Three of the 13 evaluations used a randomized controlled trial (RCT), whereas the remaining ten used a retrospective quasi-experimental design (RQED). Propensity score matching has been used in eight of the ten RQED evaluations to match offenders from the treatment and comparison groups. Of the 13 evaluations, 9 have been published in peer-reviewed academic journals. Recidivism Recidivism is often considered the "gold standard" by which to measure the effectiveness of correctional programming. All 13 program evaluations included at least two measures of recidivism. Nine of the evaluations contained four separate recidivism measures. Because the education programming evaluation separately assessed the effects of earning secondary and post-secondary degrees in prison on several outcomes, two discrete program effects were included in Table 3. Of the 14 program effects examined, 9 were found to significantly decrease at least one measure of recidivism. For example, the results suggest that, relative to a comparison group of untreated offenders, participating in chemical dependency treatment significantly reduced the risk of rearrest for a new offense by 17 percent. Each program was ranked by the magnitude of its impact on each recidivism measure. In developing program rankings for each measure of recidivism, statistically significant results were given priority over those that were not statistically significant. At 55 percent, EMPLOY had the largest effect size for new offense reincarceration. MnCOSA had the largest effect sizes for rearrest and revocation, while IFI had the greatest impact on reconviction. Overall, EMPLOY was the only program to significantly reduce all four recidivism measures. Post-Release Employment Given that not all correctional programs are geared towards improving post-release employment outcomes for offenders, a little more than half (seven) of the evaluations have assessed program effects on at least one measure of employment. Of these seven, six evaluations utilized multiple measures of employment data from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The results in Table 4 show that EMPLOY, work release, educational degrees, MCORP and IFI have each produced significant, positive findings regarding post-release employment. AHP and PRI did not yield significant, positive employment outcomes. Overall, work release and EMPLOY produced the best employment outcomes. For example, work release participants were roughly eight times more likely than a comparison group of offenders to find employment. EMPLOY participants, meanwhile, were 72 percent more likely to obtain post-release employment than a comparison group of offenders. Compared to their counterparts in the comparison groups, EMPLOY and work release participants worked, on average, 211 and 497 more hours, respectively, during the follow-up period. EMPLOY participants earned roughly $5,400 more, on average, than offenders in the comparison group. Work release participants earned about $4,800 more than those in the comparison group. Cost Avoidance Correctional programs can reduce costs in several ways. Most notably, programs that lower recidivism can generate costs avoided by decreasing victim costs, criminal justice costs (including police, courts, and prisons), and lost productivity of incarcerated offenders. Those that improve employment incomes can create a benefit by increasing income taxes that employed offenders pay to the state. And programs can also reduce costs by providing graduates with early release from prison to correctional supervision. The cost avoidance estimates for each of the 13 programs are shown in Table 5. Five of the programs (CIP, AHP, MnCOSA, work release, and MCORP) contain estimates that were developed at the time the program was evaluated. For the remaining eight program evaluations, cost avoidance estimates were calculated specifically for this report. The results indicate that 10 of the 13 programs evaluated have produced a cost avoidance to the state. The total costs avoided, however, are based, to some extent, on the total size of the sample. Costs avoided per participant, on the other hand, provides a standardized metric in which comparisons can be made across programs. The results show that AHP produced the largest costs avoided per participant. As noted in that evaluation, however, the vast majority of the costs avoided came from employers paying lower wages to AHP participants. EMPLOY had the next highest benefit per participant, followed by sex offender treatment, CD treatment and MnCOSA. Each of these programs generated an excess of $10,000 in costs avoided for every participant in the program. Table 5 also estimates the costs avoided that each program produces on an annual basis. Annual cost avoidance estimates were calculated by multiplying each programs' costs avoided per participant by the number of offenders who participate in the program each year. Given the large number of participants, coupled with the relatively high amount of costs avoided per participant, CD treatment produces more than $22 million in estimated costs avoided each year. Although education programming yields one of the lower costs avoided per participant (ninth out of 13), it can be delivered relatively inexpensively ($874 per participant) to a large number of offenders (approximately 1,350 earn a secondary or post-secondary degree in prison each year). As a result, education programming produces the second-highest annual costs avoided with an estimate of $3.18 million. At $2.86 million, sex offender treatment generates the third-highest annual costs avoided, followed closely by EMPLOY with $2.84 million. CIP yields nearly $2 million in estimated costs avoided each year, as does AHP. Overall, the ten programs producing costs avoided to the state combine for more than $36 million each year. CD treatment thus accounts for more than 60 percent of the total estimated annual amount. Details: St. Paul, MN: Minnesota Department of Corrections, 2013. 13p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 22, 2016 at: http://www.doc.state.mn.us/PAGES/files/6213/9206/2384/What_Works_with_MN_Prisoners_July_2013.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://www.doc.state.mn.us/PAGES/files/6213/9206/2384/What_Works_with_MN_Prisoners_July_2013.pdf Shelf Number: 138364 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsCost-Benefit AnalysisEx-Offender EmploymentRecidivismRehabilitationTreatment Programs |
Author: Orr, Kate Skellington Title: HM YOI Polmont: Evaluation of the Implementation and Early Impact of the Peer Learning Hub Summary: Background 1.1 This report presents the findings from an independent evaluation of the Peer Learning Hub pilot that was set up in HM Young Offenders Institution (YOI) Polmont in 2014. 1.2 The purpose of the evaluation was twofold: to document and examine the set up and initial implementation of the Peer Learning Hub; as well as to consider early indications of its impact. 1.3 The evaluation focussed retrospectively on the set up and running of the pilot over the first nine months following implementation and also sought to identify and appraise changes to the pilot model that have subsequently taken place. The evaluation was intended to be formative, insofar as the findings will be used to help the pilot Hub reflect on learning and experience to date, and explore ways in which the project can continue to develop and progress in the future. Research Aims & Questions 1.4 The evaluation directly explored the following research questions: - How has the Peer Learning Hub been established? Has it been implemented as planned? What is the fidelity of implementation? - Have there been barriers to implementation? If so what were they, what was their impact, and how were (or will) they be addressed? - What is being delivered in the Peer Learning Hub? - Are activities being delivered as intended? - Are participants being reached as intended? - What are the characteristics of participants, the throughput and the attrition rates? - What are participants' views on peer mentoring? - What changes, if any, have been made to the Peer Learning Hub as a consequence of initial lessons learned? How and why have changes been made? What impact have such changes had on the success of the Peer Learning Hub? 1.5 Recognising that the Hub is also still fairly new in its implementation, and that impact data was therefore limited to the short term and would be indicative, at best, the evaluation also considered: - Whether peers are better at engaging young people in Polmont than staff members; - Whether peers are more effective at sharing and imparting information and knowledge; - Whether young offenders can act as successful role models; - If, in custodial settings, prisoners can form pro-social communities that realise wider benefits; - Whether the Peer Learning Hub increases confidence, self-esteem and self-worth of the mentors; - Whether peer mentees feel more empowered and responsible; 2 - Whether deployment of peer mentors works as a symbol and signal of a pro-social, asset building culture; - Whether peers can become ambassadors to other service users; and - The extent to which peers can improve service delivery by identifying real issues on the ground. 1.6 It is important to stress that the research did not seek to assess the effectiveness of peer mentoring per se, since the benefits of peer mentoring and other peer interventions in the custodial setting is already well documented1. It is well known, for example, that under the right conditions, peers may be better at engaging offenders than prison or other staff, that they can act as positive role models and may be more effective at communicating information and knowledge to peers than traditional teaching staff. Research has also shown that peer mentors can be effective in helping to change the behaviour of their peers, and can be especially helpful in reaching traditionally hard to reach groups. Instead, what this evaluation sought to do was to explore the specific approach being adopted at HM YOI Polmont and the suitability for the particular offender group housed there. Details: Edinburgh: Scottish Prison Service, 2015. 47p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 23, 2016 at: http://www.sps.gov.uk/Corporate/Publications/Publication-3922.aspx Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.sps.gov.uk/Corporate/Publications/Publication-3922.aspx Shelf Number: 138687 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsEducational ProgramsJuvenile CorrectionsJuvenile InmatesMentoringPeer LearningYoung Offenders |
Author: Scottish Prison Service Title: Arts Review Summary: The review, written by Jennifer Hill with support from our partners from the Scottish Prisons Arts Network (SPAN), was produced in the context of the SPS Organisational Review Unlocking Potential, Transforming Lives, and the related Purposeful Activity Review (PAR). The document seeks to build on these initiatives by highlighting the contribution of the arts towards custodial rehabilitation by enabling individuals' to build on their strengths and preparing them to meet the future challenges of work, family and responsible citizenship on release. The review will also help inform the challenges for creative arts in custody by stimulating engagement and motivating formerly reluctant learners to acquire confidence and self-belief and presenting challenges for wider educational development. Governor Jim Kerr welcomed the review stating that arts were a crucial element of the educational activities for long term prisoners at the establishment. This is evident in the wide ranging impact of the multi-award winning STIR magazine which focuses on the creative arts in stimulating self-reflection and challenging individual behaviours. Concluding remarks were made by Eddie a prisoner at Shotts who informed the group that arts and education had provided him with the confidence for the future challenges of community reintegration and accessing employment. Details: Edinburgh: Scottish Prison Service, 2015. 5 parts Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 24, 2016 at: http://www.sps.gov.uk/Corporate/News/News-3490.aspx Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.sps.gov.uk/Corporate/News/News-3490.aspx Shelf Number: 138400 Keywords: Art ProgramsCorrectional ProgramsPrisoner Rehabilitation |
Author: Richards, Kelly Title: Addressing the offending-related needs of non-violent Indigenous offenders Summary: This brief examines the effectiveness of measures that aim to reduce non-violent offending by Indigenous people in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA. Drawing on the literature available, the brief identifies examples and principles for program development and delivery that have shown potential to reduce Indigenous non-violent offending. The brief suggests that, in general terms, incorporating Indigenous culture(s) into treatment, combining cultural content with Western treatment approaches, incorporating families and communities into treatment, addressing substance abuse and trauma, and addressing the broader historical and social context in which Indigenous offending occurs, are promising approaches to reducing re-offending. Details: Sydney: Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse, 2015. 8p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Brief 20: Accessed March 24, 2016 at: http://www.indigenousjustice.gov.au/briefs/brief020.pdf Year: 2015 Country: International URL: http://www.indigenousjustice.gov.au/briefs/brief020.pdf Shelf Number: 138405 Keywords: Aboriginals Correctional ProgramsIndigenous Offenders Indigenous Peoples Non-violent Offenders Offender Rehabilitation |
Author: Baird, Janette Title: Victim Impact: Listen and Learn. An Evaluation of the Effects of the Victim Impact: Listen and Learn Program on Prisoner Recidivism and Prisoner Behavior Summary: This is a report of the evaluation study conducted to examine the effects of the Victim Impact: Listen and Learn program on the behaviors of the prisoners who attended this program. The focus of the data we collected and reported on was on the participants' behaviors after attending the program but while still in prison, and upon release from prison. Main findings 1. From the available data on 333 prisoners who had attended the Victim Impact: Listen and Learn program prior to their release back into the community, 118 or 35% re-offended and were re-committed back into prison within the state of Delaware within a three-year period following release. Comparable data provided by a 2013 DELJIS report on prisoner recidivism reported that within three-years of release 67% of prisoners re-offended and were re-committed back into Delaware prisons. 2. Prisoners who attended the program and remained in prisons after attending the program showed a reduction by a third in the frequency of disciplinary charges for the period of imprisonment after attending the program. Details: Providence, RI: Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University, 2015. 27p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 30, 2016 at: https://www.victimsvoicesheard.org/images/pdf/delaware-evaluation-report-2015.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: https://www.victimsvoicesheard.org/images/pdf/delaware-evaluation-report-2015.pdf Shelf Number: 138480 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsInmate DisciplinePrisoner MisconductRecidivism |
Author: Lizama, Jaslene Title: What Works? Short-Term, In-Custody Treatment Programs Summary: Assessing the effectiveness of in-custody treatment programs is essential in the correctional system to appropriately allocate resources and reduce offender recidivism rates. With California passing AB 109, "2011 Public Safety Realignment", it becomes imperative to understand the characteristics and principles of effective rehabilitation programing. Treatment programs that follow the core principles of the Risk-Needs-Responsivity model are found to be effective and to significantly decrease recidivism rates (Andrews, Bonta, & Wormith, 2011). The main question is whether jail treatment programs can be effective given the short duration of most jail terms. The transitory population in jails makes it difficult to provide continuous and effective treatment, further indicating the importance of analyzing the effectiveness of short-term, in-custody treatment programs. The authors reviewed the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy, education and vocational programs, substance and alcohol abuse treatment, faith-based, and mental illness treatment programs. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is based on the premise that offenders have distorted cognitions, which allows for dysfunctional thinking patterns that lead to unreasonable thoughts and beliefs and eventually to criminal and anti-social behaviors. There are different types of CBT programs that include, for example, Moral Reconation Thinking, Thinking for a Change, and Reasoning and Rehabilitation. These CBT programs are cost effective and when the program targets an offender's criminogenic needs, it can positively reduce an offender's recidivism rates. Effective educational and vocational programming are important as a large percentage of offenders in jail lack the basic skills to be a part of a well-functioning society. Educational programs are considered to be Adult Basic Education (ABE), General Educational Development (GED), and Post-Secondary Educational (PSE) classes - which includes academic classes and vocational training. Though most if not all correctional facilities provide their adult offenders with educational classes and vocational training there are no conclusive findings that these programs actually reduce recidivism. However, these programs are deemed effective because they teach offenders basic education, such as reading and writing and they also emphasize academic, vocational, and social education skills. Alcohol and substances abuse rehabilitation programs aim to reduce offenders' dependency and recidivism rates simultaneously. The research suggests cognitive-behavioral therapy, therapeutic communities, and interactive journaling used as in-custody treatment programs for offenders with alcohol or substance dependence can be effective in helping decrease drug use, drug relapse, and future criminal activity. Another promising program for jail inmates is the short-term but intensive OUT program. It is important to note that 12-step programs implemented in rehabilitation programs yield inconclusive evidence of effectiveness and have been found to have harmful consequences if not fully completed. Faith-based programs work with inmates to help grow their beliefs while providing vital services during incarceration but there is little evidence to support their effectiveness as a treatment. Sumter and Clear (n.d.) concluded that there are not enough studies regarding faith-based rehabilitation programs, and the results of the few existing studies yield too many inconsistences to clearly support the effectiveness of religious programs to reduce recidivism. Mentally ill offenders pose a difficult challenge for correctional facility staff and with the growing inmate population more mentally ill individuals find themselves placed in insufficient facilitates that do not meet their needs. Similar to faith-based rehabilitation programs; there is little research analysis to determine the effectiveness of treatment. While it is hard to determine whether mental illness programs can significantly reduce recidivism, it is essential for correctional facilities to provide some sort of programs to meet this population's needs. In general, research suggests that select short-term, intensive treatment programs may be useful within jails and can be effective in reducing offender recidivism rates. Details: Fullerton, CA: California State University - Fullerton, Center for Public Policy, 2015. 40p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 5, 2016 at: http://cpp.fullerton.edu/Faculty/Dixie_CPP/What_Works_In_Corrections_2015.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://cpp.fullerton.edu/Faculty/Dixie_CPP/What_Works_In_Corrections_2015.pdf Shelf Number: 138563 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsRehabilitation ProgramsVocational Training and Education |
Author: Monash University Criminal Justice Research Consortium for Corrections Victoria Title: Women exiting prison in Victoria Summary: This report provides a summary of research conducted for Corrections Victoria (CV) by Monash University, Victoria which looked at the post-release experiences of women exiting prison in Victoria between 2011 and 2012, and the association between participation in prison programs and prisoner outcomes post-release. This research indicated that female prisoners commonly struggle with housing, family connections, mental and physical health issues and generally rebuilding their lives following release. Interviews with women prisoners revealed that the women continued to face a number of issues in the community post-release, which had implications for their transition and reoffending outcomes. Unstable housing and substance misuse were key factors increasing the likelihood that women would return to prison. Overall, women perceived prison programs as helpful. Importantly, participants perceived prison-based programs that established connections with women prerelease and continued to provide support post-release as the most helpful. There were some challenges identified in the study, including the lack of integration between programs and services offered within prison and in the community. Some prisoners experienced barriers in accessing prison programs due to long wait lists or limited resources. This was a significant issue for those serving short sentences or remand. For others, the supports and services available to them in the community were reported as inadequate. Details: Melbourne: Department of Justice & Regulation - Corrections Victoria, 2016. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 13, 2016 at: http://assets.justice.vic.gov.au/corrections/resources/2f89243a-a827-4be8-94d6-a57af22986f8/cv_women_exiting_prison_summary.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Australia URL: http://assets.justice.vic.gov.au/corrections/resources/2f89243a-a827-4be8-94d6-a57af22986f8/cv_women_exiting_prison_summary.pdf Shelf Number: 138664 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsFemale Inmates Female Offenders Female Prisoners Prisoner Reentry |
Author: Great Britain. HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Title: Report on an unannounced inspection of HMP & YOI Bronzefield Summary: HMP Bronzefield is a complex closed women's local prison run by Sodexo Justice Services. It holds up to 527 women, with all categories represented - those remanded by the courts, those serving short sentences and a number serving life. Ages range from 18 to over 70. It is also one of two prisons in the female estate that holds restricted status women, or women who are deemed to require special management due to the level of risk they present, or the notoriety of their offences. The catchment area of the prison is huge and the mix of women held continues to present an almost unique blend of complexity and vulnerability. Around a third of women reported having a disability and 90% said they arrived with problems, including 44% who felt depressed or suicidal. For over half it was their first time in prison and a similar number had children under the age of 18. Over 40% indicated they had a problem with drugs and 66% said they had emotional wellbeing or mental health problems. The proportion of women reporting these types of problems was significantly higher than at our last inspection. It was encouraging to see, therefore, that despite this increased complexity of the challenge faced, the prison had continued the improvement we reported at the last inspection in April 2013. Arrangements to support women on arrival and during their early days at the prison were good, and for those with substance misuse problems, some of the best we have seen. Processes to keep women safe and to deal with the high levels of self-harm and vulnerability were well developed. There was little violence and few serious incidents, but despite this, many women still complained that they had felt unsafe at some time while at the prison and that they had been victimised by both other prisoners and staff. The reasons for this were not clear but, the complex mix of women held at Bronzefield, a recent tragic self-inflicted death, the first such death at the prison, allied to a zero tolerance approach being adopted to tackle poor behaviour when it occurred, were likely to be contributory factors to these perceptions. At the last inspection we were critical of some aspects of the work with the small number of women who had a combination of very challenging and sometimes dangerous behaviour and vulnerabilities, including personality disorder and mental health conditions. Work in this area had improved significantly and while we were still concerned about two women who had been managed in the separation and care unit (SCU) for over two years, the care they were receiving and specialist input to manage their progression and reintegration was good, and would be developed further with soon to be piloted interventions addressing personality disorder. Safeguarding arrangements in general were well developed and fully embedded across the prison. Security was proportionate, including for those women who were restricted status. Work in the SCU had developed since the last inspection and was now much more progressive. Use of force was not excessive, although some aspects of oversight needed attention. Substance misuse support was very good. The general environment was very good and care was taken to keep the prison decent. Staff-prisoner relationships were very good and the custody support officer scheme worked well, including effectively supporting resettlement work. Again, despite some negativity in our surveys, work to support the diverse range of women held, including the quarter who were from black and minority ethnic communities, and the 24% who were foreign nationals, was good. The mother and baby unit provided excellent care and support to those using the facility, and maternity care was very good. Health services were good overall, including for the high number of women with mental health problems. As at the last inspection the weakest outcomes were in the provision of purposeful activity. Time out of cell was reasonable although we found some women locked up during the day who could have been more purposefully occupied. The range of vocational training had improved and there were sufficient activity places for all those held. However, the quality of teaching and learning remained too variable and outcomes in the key area of functional skills needed to be better. Managers had a plan to address these deficiencies but this had not yet come to fruition. In contrast, resettlement work had improved significantly. Excellent support was now provided to women in maintaining contact with their family and friends, and also for those who had been abused, trafficked or who were sex workers. The prison had started to use release on temporary licence to support reintegration work, including for employment and family contact and relationship reasons. Offender management work had been re-organised since the last inspection and was now better than we usually see with evidence of regular and meaningful contact between women and specialist staff. Public protection arrangements were robust. The new community rehabilitation companies (CRCs) were still bedding in and there was confusion about how they worked alongside Sodexo resettlement staff. Nevertheless, support in the reducing reoffending pathways was generally strong although factors outside the control of the prison were resulting in too many women being released without settled accommodation. HMP Bronzefield was a very good and improved prison. Outcomes for the highly complex population were at least reasonably good or better in all our healthy prison tests, with the quality of respect and work to resettle prisoners particularly strong. It is a credit to the very capable leadership within the prison, and the committed and motivated staff group that the challenges they face continue to be met in such a positive and caring way. Details: London: Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons, 2015. 119p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 26, 2016 at: https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2016/04/Bronzefield-web2015.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2016/04/Bronzefield-web2015.pdf Shelf Number: 138822 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsFemale InmatesFemale OffendersPrisoner ReentryWomen Prisoners |
Author: Great Britain. HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Title: Report on an unannounced inspection of HMP Lewes Summary: HMP/YOI Lewes is a medium sized local prison with an uncrowded capacity of 617. At the time of the inspection it held just over 640 prisoners, including a substantial number awaiting trial or sentence. A third of the population were convicted of sexual offences, many with long or indeterminate sentences, and about 15% were in the last three months of their sentence and located at Lewes for pre-release resettlement support. As with other establishments, the number of older prisoners was rising and there was also a significant population of young adults. This complex mix presented considerable challenges and risks, exemplified by the first night centre. Sex offenders were held there because there was nowhere else to put them, and this meant that other new arrivals were placed wherever a space could be found in the prison. Some were even placed in the segregation unit, which is a particularly inappropriate location for someone new to prison. Most staff on other units were unaware of who the new arrivals were and could not therefore provide first night support and monitoring. Moreover, during our night visit, we found that some staff did not have anti-ligature knives and could not assure us that they would act appropriately in the event of a serious self-harm incident. This was in the context of over a quarter of prisoners in our survey reporting feeling depressed or suicidal on arrival, and a third saying they had mental health problems. Levels of violence and use of force were high and oversight of both was poor. Although we have seen rising violence in most prisons inspected over the last year, at Lewes the number of assaults was even higher than at other establishments recently inspected. However, the general picture on violence was complex and needed careful analysis; prisoners reported feeling relatively safe and selfharm was also lower than we see in other prisons. The safer custody structures that could have helped to understand and address such findings were lacking; violence reduction procedures were not being implemented and safer custody staff had no time to undertake the role. Most of the prison was clean and in good condition - a considerable achievement given that it was over 160 years old. Good relationships between staff and prisoners, many of whom were from the local area, were a strength that underpinned much of the positive work in the prison. The reassurance provided by the experienced staff group may help to explain why prisoners felt safe despite the high levels of violence. Health care was reasonably good but far too many external hospital appointments were missed as a result of a lack of escort staff. The increased number of hospital visits reflected the rise in older prisoners, approximately 10% of whom were over 60, more than double the figure at the last inspection. The oldest prisoner was over 90. However, despite creditable work by paid carers, provision for older and disabled prisoners was inadequate. Overall arrangements for equality and diversity were also poor. There was little systematic support for prisoners with protected characteristics and those from black and minority ethnic backgrounds and foreign national prisoners were much more negative than others about their treatment. Purposeful activity outcomes had dipped since the last inspection, although they were improving. More short education courses were provided, which better met the needs of many prisoners, and completion and success rates on short courses and in vocational training were high. The library was well run and access to PE was good. However, far too many prisoners were still without purposeful activity. Despite a very recently introduced new regime, on some units people were routinely locked up for 23 hours and we found half of the population in their cells during our spot checks over the course of the working day. There were not enough activity places and some of the available places were unused. Details: London: HM Chief Inspectorate of Prisons, 2016. 119p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 28, 2016 at: https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2016/04/Lewes-web-2015.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2016/04/Lewes-web-2015.pdf Shelf Number: 138835 Keywords: Correctional Institutions Correctional ProgramsPrison AdministrationPrison Conditions Prison ViolencePrisoners Prisons |
Author: Western Australia, Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services Title: Recidivism rates and the impact of treatment programs Summary: Crime costs Australia approximately $36 billion dollars per year. Government spending on the criminal justice system accounts for approximately one quarter of these costs, distributed between the police, the courts, and corrective services. National trends show an increasing expenditure on the criminal justice system and Western Australia reflects this. Over the past five years, the yearly cost of Corrective Services has increased by nearly $200 million (34%), with an additional $655 million used on capital expenditure. This review has found that the Department is missing opportunities in reducing reoffending among those most likely to return to prison. Many factors that increase the likelihood of returning to prison are beyond the Department's control but some can be addressed by treatment in prison, education, or by support and assistance on release. It was found that prisoners released from prisons where there were identified deficiencies in service provision were more likely to reoffend. One area that has seen significant investment with the explicit aim of reducing re-offending is the provision of psychologically-based 'offender treatment programs'. These programs are also an influential factor in Prisoners Review Board decisions. Despite their importance there are inequities in their provision and individual programs are rarely subject to long term evaluation. In order to improve outcomes and reduce the rate at which people return to prison, the Department needs to adopt a holistic but carefully targeted approach. This will require clear goals, well-funded strategies for improvement, and continuous measuring of effectiveness so that alterations can be made where needed. Cost increases in the Western Australian correctives services system coincide with an unprecedented increase in prisoner population. The number of prisoners in adult prisons has increased from approximately 3000 in 2004 to over 5000 in 2014. Not only has the population risen but the cost per prisoner is also rising. In Western Australia, five years ago the cost per prisoner each day was $303.62. Now it is $341.64. For 5000 prisoners that is a rise of over $190,000 per day. These cost and population pressures underline the importance of an effective corrective services system. In an effective system, imprisonment will positively influence a prisoner's life by making them less likely to reoffend in the future. Every 10 less prisoners in the system represents an annual saving of one million dollars. Research has shown that a prison sentence increases the likelihood of reoffending; however, reoffending is less likely if a person undertakes a relevant treatment program (e.g. drug treatment, sexual offender treatment). Other effectively proven rehabilitative measures for reducing reoffending include: - Prison-based educational and vocational training programs; - Prison-based employment programs; - Post-release services that aid community re-integration; - Drug courts; and - Mental health diversionary programs. Recently, the Commissioner for Corrective Services announced an intention to reduce reoffending by five to six per cent per year Details: Perth: Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services, 2014. 54p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 5, 2016 at: http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/publications/tabledpapers.nsf/displaypaper/3912295a35b28230ed9c541e48257d730008d551/$file/2295.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/publications/tabledpapers.nsf/displaypaper/3912295a35b28230ed9c541e48257d730008d551/$file/2295.pdf Shelf Number: 138937 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsCosts of CorrectionsPrisoner RehabilitationRe-offendingRecidivism |
Author: O'Brien, Rachel Title: Building a Rehabilitation culture Summary: This report argues that prisons will continue to struggle to rehabilitate offenders unless they are able to develop stronger, more positive links with their communities and economies. The RSA sets out an alternative model of a not-for-profit community prison that would provide custody and rehabilitation services on a single site, bringing back to life unused Moj assets adjacent to existing prisons. It proposed a model where prisoners and ex-offenders would be paid to work in social enterprises. Was there a way to benefit from the innovations and freedoms that can come with private investment and partnership, but with the ethical constraints and focus of the public and voluntary sector? We were struck by the fact that the work of prison officers and the service was largely invisible or misunderstood by the public. Whereas people would defend the NHS and schools and believed they understood health and education services, the prison service is something that happens 'out of sight', and is largely ignored, until something goes wrong. Yet in polls the public put crime at the top of their concerns. What kind of approach would better involve people, communities, and employers in helping prisons to do the work that we ask of them? These questions and more will inform the study the RSA is undertaking as we assess the potential for taking the Transitions idea to the next stage and is working with a public prison in East Yorkshire to this end. Since publication of its original 'vision' pamphlet in 2011, the RSA has secured funding to undertake a major feasibility study throughout 2013. Details: London: RSA, 2014. 56p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 11, 2016 at: https://www.thersa.org/discover/publications-and-articles/reports/building-a-rehabilitation-culture/ Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.thersa.org/discover/publications-and-articles/reports/building-a-rehabilitation-culture/ Shelf Number: 138967 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsCorrections OfficersPrison GuardsPrison ProgramsPrisoner RehabilitationPrisoners |
Author: Coates, Dame Sally Title: Unlocking Potential: A review of education in prison Summary: Putting education at the heart of the prison regime 1. Education in prison should give individuals the skills they need to unlock their potential, gain employment, and become assets to their communities. It is one of the pillars of effective rehabilitation. Education should build social capital and improve the well-being of prisoners during their sentences. 2. Improved prison education can transform individual prisoners' lives, but it can also benefit society by building safer communities and reducing the significant financial and social costs arising from reoffending. The cost of current levels of reoffending has been estimated to be 9.5-13 billion per year1. 3. Recognition of the importance of education in prisons appears to have been lost. There are pockets of good practice, with examples of 'Outstanding' education provision, but these are isolated. There does not appear to be any systematic way for prisons and Governors to learn from one another. 4. Education is more than a service provided by OLASS providers in classrooms or workshops. All areas of the prison regime should be considered suitable for learning. My vision for prison education is holistic. It includes: - basic skills development in maths, English and ICT, through intensive courses, one-to-one support from other prisoners, or embedded in workshop or other work settings (e.g. kitchens and gardens); - high quality vocational training and employability skills that prepare individuals for jobs on release (e.g. through industrial work and training designed with and for employers); - Personal and Social Development (PSD), including behaviour programmes, family- and relationship-learning, and practical skills (e.g. parenting, finance, and domestic management); - proper support for the needs of prisoners with Learning Difficulties and Disabilities (LDD); - provision of arts, music and sport activities; - enterprise and self-employment support and training; - self-directed study; - learning facilitated by ICT, including distance-learning that can support qualifications from entry level up to degree level; - advice and guidance that ensures individuals make informed choices about education and future employment and career options; and 'through the gate' support so that individuals can continue to progress through education, training and employment on release, and therefore avoid reoffending. 5. The chapters of this report set out the approach I would like to see taken in seven key areas: - Chapter One covers my fundamental recommendation that Prison Governors, as leaders of a complex environment, should have autonomy in the provision of education, and be held to account for the educational progress of all prisoners; - Chapter Two discusses the need for a new 'people' culture in prisons to support leadership, build routes to attract new talent into working in prison, and ensure professional development for all staff. A large number of people are in contact with each individual prisoner day-to-day. They all have a responsibility to ensure that, in educative terms, every contact matters. This includes regional managers, Governors, the Senior Management Team in every prison, teachers, prison officers, prison instructors and peer mentors; -Chapter Three explains the personalised approach Governors should take in developing education. The offer must be meaningful for each learner, encourage personal responsibility, and meet the needs of those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities (LDD); - Chapter Four is concerned with raising aspiration. Education must offer a learning journey that enables educational progress that includes, where appropriate to the individual, industry-standard vocational qualifications and access to Higher Education; - Chapter Five sets out the case for change to be driven through improved ICT. Digital systems are crucial to enabling the delivery of high quality education to prisoners. If prisoners are, on release, to secure employment, continue to study, or otherwise contribute to society, they must be given the opportunity to use and improve their digital skills in prison; - Chapter Six explores what should happen to enable more prisoners to move into sustained employment and/or continue education on release; - Chapter Seven outlines the phased approach and timetable I believe should be taken to reform education. Details: London: Ministry of Justice, 2016. 80p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 18, 2016 at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/524013/education-review-report.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/524013/education-review-report.pdf Shelf Number: 139067 Keywords: Correctional EducationCorrectional ProgramsPrisoner RehabilitationVocational Education and Training |
Author: Carroll, Catherine Title: A Prison within a Prison: The provision of ESOL education and training for prisoners and ex-prisoners Summary: The importance of education and training as a means of reducing re-offending is widely acknowledged and there is an emerging evidence base as to what the most effective strategies are (Lukklen and Johnston 2013). Increasingly, attention from all relevant groups has been focussed on particularly vulnerable groups in prison such as those with literacy and language needs (Gregory and Bryan 2011). One identified group that has received, thus far, very little attention with respect to specific policy or research are those offenders and ex-offenders with English as a second language. The Bell Foundation commissioned this short literature review of ESOL provision for offenders and ex-offenders in order to inform the Foundation's long term programme in this field. The focus of the review was to include data on prevalence of ESOL needs within this population, ESOL needs as a risk factor for re-offending, current practice for supporting offenders with ESOL needs, challenges to effective ESOL provision and recommendations for further research. 'A Prison within a Prison' is a literature review by the Centre for Education in the Criminal Justice System at the UCL Institute of Education, which looks at the ESOL provision in the custodial setting. The report concludes that: There is no national data available on the number of individuals in the criminal justice system with ESOL needs, making it difficult to plan for provision for this group. Delivering effective ESOL in the custodial setting is challenging, due both to a lack of knowledge about the target group and due to the frequent transfers and movement restrictions of prisoners. Having ESOL needs presents a very real challenge for prisoners' experience in prison and after release. Details: London: University College of London, Institute of Education; Cambridge, UK: Bell Foundation, 2015. 42p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 19, 2016 at: https://www.bell-foundation.org.uk/assets/Documents/APrisonwithinPrison.pdf?1423048388 Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.bell-foundation.org.uk/assets/Documents/APrisonwithinPrison.pdf?1423048388 Shelf Number: 139106 Keywords: Correctional EducationCorrectional ProgramsForeign InmatesForeign PrisonersInmate RehabilitationVocational Education and Training |
Author: Sarver, Christian M. Title: Utah Cost of Crime. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (Adults): Technical Report Summary: Increasingly, research indicates that criminal sanctions alone are not an effective means for preventing reoffending (Andrews et al., 1990; Bonta, 2001). Treatment modalities, however, are differentially effective with criminal justice populations (Lipton, Martinson, & Wilks, 1975; MacKenzie, 2006; Pearson, Lipton, Cleland, & Lee, 2002). Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has emerged as the primary intervention used within correctional settings to change criminal behaviors (Milkman & Wanberg, 2007). CBT combines elements from behavior modification and cognitive restructuring theories. When used with offender populations, interventions most commonly target criminal thinking patterns, problem-solving behaviors, and coping skills (MacKenzie, 2006). Within the criminal justice system, CBT has been adapted for a variety of settings and populations: secure- and community-based; adults and juveniles; general, violent, sex, and substance-using offenders; and group and individual formats (Wilson, Bouffard, & MacKenzie, 2005). Treatments are highly structured and can be facilitated by licensed mental health professionals as well as non-clinical staff (Milkman & Wanberg, 2007). While CBT encompasses a heterogeneous set of interventions, six "brand-name" programs were specifically designed for use with offenders: Aggression Replacement Training (ART), Cognitive Interventions Program (CIP), Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT), Relapse Prevention Therapy (RPT), Reasoning and Rehabilitation Program (R&R), and Thinking for a Change (T4C). All six programs are manualized and specify treatment targets that have been empirically demonstrated to be related to criminal thinking patterns and behaviors. Details: Salt Lake City: Utah Criminal Justice Center, University of Utah, 2012. 18p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 23, 2016 at: Utah Cost of CrimeCognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adult Offenders:Technical Report Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: Utah Cost of CrimeCognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adult Offenders:Technical Report Shelf Number: 139124 Keywords: Cognitive-Behavioral TherapyCorrectional ProgramsOffender TreatmentTreatment Programs |
Author: Scaggs, Samuel Title: An Assessment of Substance Abuse Treatment Programs in Florida's Prisons Using a Random Assignment Experimental Design Summary: Prior drug involvement and dependence among incarcerated offenders is a critical issue for correctional administrators and policy makers given the financial impact of treatment costs and recidivism. While substance-addicted inmates can cause financial burdens on correctional institutions, they are also at a high risk of recidivism following their release from incarceration. Targeting inmates' substance addiction needs while in prison is intended to reduce reoffending and relapse following prison release. The exact nature of substance abuse treatment within prison systems has yet to be fully examined within the criminological literature. Specifically, while there has been extensive research on the use and effectiveness of therapeutic communities with inmates, other treatment modalities such as outpatient services have received less inquiry. This study provides an important contribution to the understanding of the role substance abuse treatment plays for inmates' in several key ways. First, we evaluate the results of a randomized experimental design study conducted by the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) from January 2006 through December 2008 in which all inmates admitted to a Florida prison were given the opportunity to consent to participate in a study of the effectiveness of substance abuse treatment programming in prison. Second, the study assesses the impact of multiple modalities of prison−based substance abuse treatment, as well as the role that duration and recency of treatment play in the recidivism and post−prison employment outcomes of over 11,000 released inmates. Third, we use multiple statistical techniques, including logistic regression, survival analysis, Propensity Score Matching (PSM), and precision matching, to assess whether, and to what extent, evaluation outcome studies of correctional-based substance abuse treatment are impacted by the type of research design and statistical methods used. Among the major findings are that aftercare and transitional substance abuse programming has some of the largest effects of increasing employment and reducing recidivism. In addition, among inmates who complete substance abuse treatment, those who do so closer to their release from prison are less likely to recidivate. Another important finding is that some research methods produce similarities in the direction of the effect while others produce different directions in the effect of the same treatment on recidivism. Notably, the strongest design - random assignment - showed the most support for prison-based treatment's effectiveness in reducing recidivism. Due to the non-significance of the majority of results across methods, it was difficult to draw conclusions about similarities across statistical methods in this study. We conclude with a discussion of the policy implications and directions for future research on the effectiveness of prison−based substance abuse treatment. Details: Tallahassee: Florida Department of Correction; Florida State University College of Criminology and Criminal Justice, 2015. 108p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 1, 2016 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/249843.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/249843.pdf Shelf Number: 139265 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsDrug Abuse and AddictionDrug OffendersDrug Treatment ProgramsRecidivismSubstance Abuse Treatment |
Author: Bales, William D. Title: As Assessment of the Effectiveness of Prison Work Release Programs on Post-Release Recidivism and Employment Summary: This study evaluates the effectiveness of prison-based work release centers in terms of reducing post-prison recidivism and employment and determines whether privately operated work release centers produce different outcomes compared to state operated programs under the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC). Work release is a community transition program in which prison inmates are housed in community-based facilities and work in the community during normal business hours. While the FDC originally implemented work release programs four decades ago, there has been little empirical research on its effectiveness in promoting post-release employment and reducing recidivism. While there are a few exceptions, the existing literature reporting research conducted to determine the effectiveness of work release can be summarized as largely outdated, lacking methodological rigor, and has failing to examine differences in outcomes across publicly versus privately operated work release facilities. Through support from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), this study uses data from the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) through a researcher-practitioner partnership funded project to assess the impact of work release programs on the post-release outcomes of employment and various indicators of recidivism, and to determine if there are differential outcomes across privately operated versus state run programs. First, we examine the differences in post-prison recidivism outcomes using several different measures as well as employment of 27,463 inmates released from Florida's prison between 2004 and 2011 who completed a work release program with 15,911 non-participants who met the criterion for placement in a work release program but were not exposed during their incarceration. Second, we examine comparisons of these same outcomes between inmates who completed work release in FDC-operated work release facilities versus privately contracted facilities. Third, we examine whether the impact of work release programs on post-prison outcomes varies across inmates with different characteristics, including gender, race, age at prison release, offense types, and post-prison release supervision. Findings indicate that inmates released from work release facilities compared to the control group of non-participants have significantly lower levels of recidivism as measured by arrest for any new crime, arrest for a new felony offense, and conviction for a new felony offense, however, they have higher rates of returning to prison. Additionally, work release is a highly significant influence on the likelihood of obtaining employment within the first quarter after release. When considering the type of work release facility inmates are exposed to, i.e., public versus private, we find no meaningful differences in terms of recidivism; however, inmates who completed a work release program in a privately operated facility are significantly more likely to find employment when returning to their communities. Finally, we examined whether differences existed in the relative effect of work release on the reentry outcomes of recidivism and employment across several characteristics of inmates. The results indicate there are meaningful variations in the outcomes across various demographic groups, offense types, and post-prison supervision status. The policy implications of this research are that the expansion of the use of prison-based work release programs can have a positive impact on reducing the overall recidivism rates of released prisoners and can significantly improve their post-prison employment potential. Details: Tallahassee: Florida Department of Corrections and Florida State University College of Criminology and Criminal Justice, 2015. 61p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 1, 2016 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/249845.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/249845.pdf Shelf Number: 139268 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsEx-Offender EmploymentRecidivismRehabilitationWork Release |
Author: Bagnall, Anne-Marie Title: A systematic review of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of peer education and peer support in prisons Summary: Background: Prisoners experience significantly worse health than the general population. This review examines the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of peer interventions in prison settings. Methods: A mixed methods systematic review of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness studies, including qualitative and quantitative synthesis was conducted. In addition to grey literature identified and searches of websites, nineteen electronic databases were searched from 1985 to 2012. Study selection criteria were: Population: Prisoners resident in adult prisons and children resident in Young Offender Institutions (YOIs). Intervention: Peer-based interventions. Comparators: Review questions 3 and 4 compared peer and professionally led approaches. Outcomes: Prisoner health or determinants of health; organisational/process outcomes; views of prison populations. Study designs: Quantitative, qualitative and mixed method evaluations. Results: Fifty-seven studies were included in the effectiveness review and one study in the cost-effectiveness review; most were of poor methodological quality. Evidence suggested that peer education interventions are effective at reducing risky behaviours, and that peer support services are acceptable within the prison environment and have a positive effect on recipients, practically or emotionally. Consistent evidence from many, predominantly qualitative, studies, suggested that being a peer deliverer was associated with positive effects. There was little evidence on cost-effectiveness of peer-based interventions. Conclusions: There is consistent evidence from a large number of studies that being a peer worker is associated with positive health; peer support services are also an acceptable source of help within the prison environment and can have a positive effect on recipients. Research into cost-effectiveness is sparse. Details: BMC Public Health (2015) 15:290. 30p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 1, 2016 at: http://old.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/s12889-015-1584-x.pdf Year: 2015 Country: International URL: http://old.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/s12889-015-1584-x.pdf Shelf Number: 139929 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsCost-Benefit AnalysisPeer-Based ProgramsPrison Programs |
Author: Delaney, Ruth Title: Making the Grade: Developing Quality Postsecondary Education Programs in Prison Summary: With its July 2015 announcement of the Second Chance Pell Pilot Program, the U.S. Department of Education ushered in what could be a new era of expanded opportunities for postsecondary education in our nation's prisons. The Second Chance Pell Pilot makes students incarcerated in state and federal prisons eligible for need-based financial aid in a limited number of authorized sites-meaning postsecondary education is likely to become a reality for an increased number of the more than 1.5 million people in prisons nationwide. Research shows that-among other benefits to individuals, families, communities, and prisons-incarcerated people who participate in prison education programs are 43 percent less likely to recidivate than those who do not. This report offers lessons from the field on the implementation of these programs in corrections settings across the country. Details: New York Vera Institute of Justice, Center on Sentencing and Corrections, 2016. 40p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 3, 2016 at: https://storage.googleapis.com/vera-web-assets/downloads/Publications/making-the-grade-postsecondary-education-programs-in-prison/legacy_downloads/making-the-grade-postsecondary-education-programs-in-prison.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: https://storage.googleapis.com/vera-web-assets/downloads/Publications/making-the-grade-postsecondary-education-programs-in-prison/legacy_downloads/making-the-grade-postsecondary-education-programs-in-prison.pdf Shelf Number: 140146 Keywords: Correctional EducationCorrectional ProgramsPrisoner Educational ProgramsPrisoner Rehabilitation |
Author: O'Keefe, Marueen Title: Effectiveness of Arrowhead and Peer I Therapeutic Communities Summary: The therapeutic community (TC) model has been widely implemented in response to the demand for more treatment options for offenders. The effectiveness of the TC in reducing drug use and criminal behavior among offender populations has made it one of the preferred treatment modalities in prisons and community corrections programs. Success of the TC modality in effectively treating substances abusers has been linked to the programs' ability to retain clients. The longer the clients remain in treatment the lower their chance of recidivating. Fixed and dynamic client factors have been studied to determine their predictive ability in helping to retain clients. Although dynamic factors appear to be better predictors, results are often sporadic. Research has also discovered the most prominent factors contributing to successful outcomes include appropriate matching of client needs to programming, retention and length of stay, and a continuum of care. Study Goals The objective of the present study aims to establish the effectiveness of Colorado's implementation of the prison plus community TC model by examining different factors in three distinct studies. The two programs evaluated in these studies are the substance abuse TC at the Arrowhead Correctional Center (ACC) and the Peer I TC. Together these programs provide a continuum of care for high risk substance abusing felons. - Study 1: Examined factors related to retention in the ACC TC where a high percentage of inmates do not complete the program. - Study 2: Analyzed the outcomes of felons with varying amounts of treatment and examined client factors related to successful outcomes post-prison release. This is a large scale analysis of quantitative data comparing study groups with different levels of involvement in the TC programs across multiple outcome variables, including rearrest and return to prison. - Study 3: Explored potential barriers and supports that offenders face when returning to the community and how this might impact their outcomes. Findings Effectiveness of TC Model in Colorado. Results found that offenders who complete the ACC TC and continue on to Peer I have the lowest rate of community supervision failures (i.e., return to prison or rearrest for new crime) at 1- and 2-year follow up periods. Even though the effect declines over time, a continuum of intensive prison and community services significantly reduces recidivism risk over longer follow-up periods. - The group who participated in both TCs had a 78% reduction in 1-year recidivism and a 42% reduction in 2-year recidivism over an untreated comparison group. - Participants who successfully completed ACC TC but had no community TC involvement showed reductions of 12% and 14% for the 1-year and 2-year outcomes, respectively. - Participants who received treatment only at Peer I TC showed reductions of 10% and 3% for 1-year and 2-year outcomes respectively. - Participants who unsuccessfully terminated from the ACC TC had similar rates of recidivism as the control group. Client Profiles. No stable client profiles emerged from the results that would predict outcomes; however there do appear to be personality traits that distinguish those who are more likely to complete treatment from those who do not. - Clients who quit or expelled from the ACC TC were less likely to be married and more likely to exhibit narcissistic personality disorder, schizotypal and paranoid personality disorders, and early childhood conduct problems. This personality profile typifies individuals who may find it difficult to adapt to and succeed in the TC environment because of the specific treatment techniques employed. - Motivation was not found to have a statistical relationship with retention in the ACC TC. This finding is in contrast to the findings in Study 2 which found that motivation played a role in group membership, meaning participants attending both TC programs were more highly motivated. Factors Related to Successful Outcomes. Offenders releasing to the community from prison face a great number of challenges and barriers, including criminal justice supervision, employment, housing, and finances. In addition, their addiction poses a great risk to their ability to remain in the community; relapse is highly correlated with return to prison. Successful participants indicated that they had made an internal decision to change; correspondingly, their decisions relating to criminal justice supervision, employment, housing, and other transition barriers were made with recovery foremost in their thinking. - Finding initial employment and housing was not reported as a challenge for participants; they did not view their felony status as an obstacle in finding either. However, in the future as they seek more desirable positions and living arrangements their backgrounds might prove more problematic. - Motivation as measured herein was not statistically related to outcomes. However, case study participants with successful outcomes expressed high levels of internal and external motivation in contrast to those who were unsuccessful. - The ability to find and maintain positive social support was critical to successful outcomes in the community. Individuals who returned to old neighborhoods and peer groups or had family members with addiction or criminal involvement tended to return to their old patterns of behavior. Details: Colorado Springs, CO: Colorado Department of Corrections; University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, 2004. 46p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 23, 2016 at:http://hermes.cde.state.co.us/drupal/islandora/object/co%3A3042/datastream/OBJ/view Year: 2004 Country: United States URL: http://hermes.cde.state.co.us/drupal/islandora/object/co%3A3042/datastream/OBJ/view Shelf Number: 146053 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsRecidivismRehabilitationTherapeutic CommunitiesTreatment Programs |
Author: Rampey, Bobby D. Title: Highlights from the U.S. PIAAC Survey of Incarcerated Adults: Their Skills, Work Experience, Education, and Training: Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies: 2014 Summary: he U.S. PIAAC Survey of Incarcerated Adults was designed to provide policymakers, administrators, educators, and researchers with information to improve educational and training opportunities for incarcerated adults and foster skills they need in order to return to, and work successfully in, society upon release from prison. This report highlights data from the survey's extensive background questionnaire and direct assessments of cognitive skills. It examines the skills of incarcerated adults in relationship to their work experiences and to their education and training in prison. Results for incarcerated adults on the literacy and numeracy domains are presented in two ways: (1) as scale scores (estimated on a 0-500 scale), and (2) as percentages of adults reaching the proficiency levels established for each of these domains. The report includes results for groups of incarcerated adults by various characteristics, including employment prior to incarceration, experiences with prison jobs, skills certifications, educational attainment in prison, and participation in academic programs and training classes. Details: U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics, 2016. 70p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 21, 2016 at: http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2016/2016040.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2016/2016040.pdf Shelf Number: 140238 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsEducational ProgramsEx-Offender EmploymentPrisoner ReentryVocational Education and Training |
Author: Akers, Kimberly Title: Factors Influencing the Completion of the GED in a Federal Correctional Setting: A Multiple Regression, Correlational-Predictive Study Summary: Correctional education's primary goal is to reduce recidivism and increase employment among ex-offenders. The Bureau of Prison's practical goal in its mandatory GED program is to maximize the number of inmates obtaining the GED in a given time period. The purpose of this research is to model the number of instructional hours an inmate requires to obtain the GED as a regression on socio-demographic and Bureau of Prison policy variables related to inmate conduct in education programs. This quantitative research uses multiple regression to produce and analyze the model. An archival random sample of GED graduates in a large federal correctional complex is selected, the model fit and diagnosed, and a hold-out sample tested for predictive reliability. Any conclusions regarding policy alternatives for the Bureau of Prisons will then be drawn. Such alternatives may lead to improvements in general criminal justice and in correctional education in particular. Details: Lynchburg, VA:Liberty University, 2013. 134p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed November 28, 2016 at: http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1730&context=doctoral Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1730&context=doctoral Shelf Number: 147911 Keywords: Correctional EducationCorrectional ProgramsFederal PrisonsRecidivism |
Author: Texas. Sunset Advisory Commission Title: Windham School District: Schools in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Sunset Self-Evaluation Report Summary: Mission: The Windham School District (WSD) will provide appropriate educational programming and services to meet the needs of the eligible offender population in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and reduce recidivism by assisting offenders in becoming responsible, productive members of their communities. Statutory Goals: (1) reduce recidivism; (2) reduce the cost of confinement or imprisonment; (3) increase the success of former inmates in obtaining and maintaining employment; and (4) provide an incentive to inmates to behave in positive ways during confinement or imprisonment. (TEC, §19.003) Statutory Powers and Duties: The district may establish and operate schools at the various facilities of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. (TEC, §19.002) The district shall: (1) develop educational and vocational training programs specifically designed for persons eligible under Section 19.005, and (2) coordinate educational programs and services in the department with those provided by other state agencies, by political subdivisions, and by persons who provide programs and services under contract. (TEC, §19.004), The key functions continue to serve the following ongoing objectives: 1. reduce recidivism; 2. reduce the cost of confinement or imprisonment; 3. increase the success of former inmates in obtaining and maintaining employment; and 4. provide an incentive to inmates to behave in positive ways during confinement or imprisonment. The functions are still needed for the following reasons: • Thousands of offenders in TDCJ lack the educational background and basic skills necessary to obtain employment upon release or participate in advanced educational programs. The typical WSD student: - dropped out of school in the 9th or 10th grade, - functions at the 5th or 6th grade level, - has an IQ of 86, - has a history of academic failure, - has a defensive and/or negative attitude, - has low self-esteem, - has little confidence in self to find employment, - has limited ability to visualize a productive future, - has difficulty with relationships, - has difficulty controlling anger, and - exhibits impulsive behavior. - Windham School District serves as a dropout recovery program for thousands of offenders who never completed high school. Offenders as young as 14 years of age may be incarcerated in TDCJ facilities. According to the TDCJ Statistical Report for 2010, nearly 2,800 offenders were under the age of 20 - still eligible for public school. Additionally, more than 44,000 offenders were between the ages of 20 and 29. Most of these offenders lack a high school diploma, have no significant work history, and lack the skills and credentials necessary to compete successfully for jobs. Many lack even the most basic academic skills, not to mention the higher order thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving skills that are typically required in today's workplace. - In 2010, WSD provided educational services to 326 offenders who were seventeen years of age or younger, and an additional 5,964 offenders throughout the system who were public school age. - Education programs serve as a prison management tool. Participation in education programs is tied directly to an offender's classification status and serves as a behavioral incentive. Additionally, offenders who are actively engaged in productive activities are far less likely to create a disturbance than those who are idle. There is also a cost savings in terms of security operations. Education employees supervise thousands of offenders in classrooms every day. Details: Austin, TX: The Advisory Commission, 2011. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 6, 2016 at: https://www.sunset.texas.gov/public/uploads/files/reports/Windham%20School%20District%20SER%202011%2083rd%20Leg_0.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: https://www.sunset.texas.gov/public/uploads/files/reports/Windham%20School%20District%20SER%202011%2083rd%20Leg_0.pdf Shelf Number: 147858 Keywords: Correctional Education ProgramsCorrectional programsRehabilitation Programs |
Author: Hill, Leslie Brooke Title: Becoming the Person Your Dog Thinks You Are: An Assessment of Florida Prison-Based Dog Training Programs on Prison Misconduct, Post-Release Employment and Recidivism Summary: Dog Training Programs have recently become a popular rehabilitative program within correctional facilities. They are present in all 50 states as well as many other countries. However, the empirical literature on the effectiveness of these popular programs is sparse. Using a cohort of inmates released from Florida prisons between the years of 2004-2011 (n=181,547) this study examines the effectiveness of dog training programs on prison misconduct, post-release employment and recidivism. Findings indicate that participation in a dog training program can lead to reductions prison misconduct and reductions in the likelihood and timing of re-arrest. Among those who participated in dog training programs, longer duration, recency of participation, continuity of treatment and being in the program at release emerge as predictors of reductions in prison misconduct and re-arrest and increasing obtaining employment upon release. Due to promising findings, policy implications are discussed as well as potential avenues for future research. Details: Tallahassee: Florida State University, 2016. 186p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed December 14, 2016 at: http://fsu.digital.flvc.org/islandora/object/fsu%3A360369 Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://fsu.digital.flvc.org/islandora/object/fsu%3A360369 Shelf Number: 140442 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsDog Training ProgramsEx-Offender EmploymentPrison ProgramsPrisoner MisconductPrisoner ReentryRecidivismRehabilitation Programs |
Author: Crittenden, Courtney A. Title: Gender and Programming: A Comparison of Program Availability and Participation in U.S. Prisons for Men and Women Summary: The current study examines the state of prison programming across the U.S. and whether availability of and participation in prison programs varies by gender and other key factors such as the interaction effects of race and gender, self-identified needs, and facility-level characteristics. Using Morash, Rucker, and Haarr's (1994) study, the last major study comparing prison programming for men and women in U.S. prisons, as a guide, I explore the current state of prison programming using national-level survey data. The results indicate that gender does indeed matter for both prison programming availability and participation with women having more programs available to them and participating in more programs than men. Moreover, the findings suggest that programming might be influenced by both stereotypical gender expectations and gender-responsive principles. The interactions of race and gender were also significant for at least one programming option in every domain examined. Results also indicated that inmates are being placed into programming based on self-identified needs, which is promising. Finally, facility-level characteristics are important factors for both program availability and participation. Details: Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina, 2013. 424p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed December 16, 2016 at: http://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1610&context=etd Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1610&context=etd Shelf Number: 146124 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsGender-Based ProgramsPrisonersRehabilitation Programs |
Author: Giles, Margaret Title: Welfare and recidivism outcomes of in-prison education and training Summary: This report represents the final stage of a three-phase study of the project "Labour market outcomes of education and training during incarceration". The two earlier phases were the extraction of WA Department of Corrective Services (WADCS) prison and training data (Phase 1), and the extraction of Centrelink (CL) welfare data and the linkage of these data with the WADCS data (Phase 2). Analysis of the contribution of in-prison study to reduced recidivism and reduced welfare dependence (Phase 3) is reported here. Phase 1 of the overarching project involved the extraction of five years of prisoner data (including socio-demographics, offences and prison education and training information) from the WADCS. The data were then cleaned and sorted and a Linkage Key (based on 14 alpha-numeric characters take from surname, given name, date of birth and gender) was constructed. Descriptive statistics were produced. The data included prisoners who had been in prison at any time during the period 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2010 (Giles and Whale 2013). Phase 2 of the overarching project involved two steps. First, a subset of Centrelink welfare data (including a Linkage Key) was obtained from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) on behalf of the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) which (then) managed Centrelink data. Next these data were merged with the WA prisoner education and training dataset constructed in Phase 1 to produce a comprehensive longitudinal dataset. This WA prisoner education and welfare dataset contains prisoner/ex-prisoner socio-demographics, offences, prison time, recidivism, study, and welfare reliance (Giles and Whale 2014). Phase 3 of the overarching project, summarised in this report, involved the analysis of the WA prisoner education and welfare dataset constructed in Phase 2 to examine the impact of in-prison study, and other factors, on recidivism and welfare use. The study tested different measures of recidivism, welfare dependence and in-prison study and, using multivariate regression and survival analysis techniques, the relative impacts of in-prison study on post-release outcomes. This report finds that prisoners choose to study if their most serious offence type is Economic Crime and if they were incarcerated earlier in the dataset period. Factors influencing the successful completion of classes are the prisoner being of nonAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent or male, the most serious offence type being an offence other than Economic Crime or the sentence type being Fine Default. Fewer prison terms or shorter prison terms can also contribute to all classes being successfully completed. Factors affecting up-skilling include the prisoner being non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or from rural WA, with sentence type of Fine Default or most serious offence of Economic Crime. Fewer prison terms and longer sentences also contribute to up-skilling. Prisoners who enrol in Forklift Classes or Resources Courses are more likely to up-skill than other prisoners. How study in prison is measured is critical to estimating its influence on post-release outcomes such as recidivism and welfare dependence. Findings in this study include that prisoners who have up-skilled are less likely to recidivate (in terms of increased offence seriousness) and an increased number of successful classes will also reduce recidivism. In addition, ex-prisoners who are best able to remain in the community for longer have studied and successfully completed all their classes. Study also affects welfare dependence, in particular, receipt of unemployment benefits or student allowances. That is, the more classes that were successfully completed or involved up-skilling, the shorter time the ex-prisoners spent on welfare in the immediate post-release period. Although the study was constrained by the variables included in each of the contributing databases, the results confirm the usefulness of prison study generally in reducing reoffending and improving post-release outcomes. Future research could obtain additional data, such as self-report or verified education and employment information, verified physical and mental health status information, and learning disability diagnostic data, which have been shown, in the labour economics literature, to be important confounding factors for labour market participation and success. Details: Canberra: Criminology Research Advisory Council, 2016. 102p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 27, 2017 at: http://crg.aic.gov.au/reports/1516/33-1213-FinalReport.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Australia URL: http://crg.aic.gov.au/reports/1516/33-1213-FinalReport.pdf Shelf Number: 144923 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsPovertyPrison EducationRecidivismVocational Education and TrainingWelfare Recipients |
Author: Texas. Legislature. House Committee on Corrections Title: Interim Report to the 85th Texas Legislature Summary: INTERIM STUDY CHARGES 1. Examine fees and revocations for those on probation and parole; examine effectiveness of fees imposed as a condition of probation and parole; study technical revocations in adult probation to identify drivers of revocations, disparities across the state, and strategies for reducing technical revocations while ensuring program effectiveness and public safety. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence) 2. Study recidivism, its major causes, and existing programs designed to reduce recidivism, including a review of current programs utilized by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and the Windham School District for incarcerated persons. Examine re-entry programs and opportunities for offenders upon release. Identify successful programs in other jurisdictions and consider how they might be implemented in Texas. 3. Study incarceration rates for non-violent drug offenses and the cost to the state associated with those offenses. Identify alternatives to incarceration, including community supervision, that could be used to reduce incarceration rates of non-violent drug offenders. 4. Study inmate release policies of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, including the release of inmates directly from administrative segregation. Identify best practices and policies for the transitioning of these various inmate populations from the prison to appropriate supervision in the community. Identify any needed legislative changes necessary to accomplish these goals. 5. Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 84th Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the committee should: a. consider any reforms to state agencies to make them more responsive to Texas taxpayers and citizens; b. identify issues regarding the agency or its governance that may be appropriate to investigate, improve, remedy, or eliminate; c. determine whether an agency is operating in a transparent and efficient manner; and d. identify opportunities to streamline programs and services while maintaining the mission of the agency and its programs. Details: Austin: Texas Legislature, 2016. 73p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 27, 2016 at: http://www.house.state.tx.us/_media/pdf/committees/reports/84interim/Corrections-Committee-Interim-Report-2016.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://www.house.state.tx.us/_media/pdf/committees/reports/84interim/Corrections-Committee-Interim-Report-2016.pdf Shelf Number: 144922 Keywords: Correctional AdministrationCorrectional ProgramsCorrectionsPrisons |
Author: Hawley, Jo Title: Prison Education and Training in Europe: Current State-of-Play and Challenges Summary: ECUTIVE SUMMARY Education and training can be provided in a multitude of arenas, prisons being one of them. Prisons form a very specific learning environment with distinct challenges differing from those faced in the mainstream education and training sector. Firstly, prison education and training is provided in overcrowded institutions with an average occupancy rate of 105% across the EU-27. Secondly, the prison populations are becoming increasingly diverse. For example, in countries such as Greece and Belgium over 40% of prisoners are foreign-born. However, in spite of these challenges, there is evidence that investing in prison education and training is worthwhile. For instance, a study assessing the costs and benefits of in-prison education to UK society found that the benefits were more than double the investment made. It is thus important to explore the quality and efficiency of current learning provision in European prisons. Among the c. 640,000 strong prison population in the EU there is a significant proportion of low-skilled Europeans. Even though there is no exact data on the qualification levels of prisoners, it has been estimated that only 3-5% of them would be qualified to undertake higher education, and in many countries there is a high instance of early school leaving among prisoners. Low levels of qualifications have important negative effects on prisoners' employment prospects upon release, which has been found to be one of the key factors influencing whether or not ex-prisoners re-offend. Thus, the provision of basic skills education, and particularly, vocational training, in prisons has an important role to play in the reintegration process of prisoners. However, as noted by the European prison rules, it is important to provide educational opportunities, which meet the needs of individual prisoners. This includes providing education and training also for those who have higher prior educational attainment. In spite of the potential benefits of education and training for prisoners, such as improving their employability, social inclusion and re-integration into society, they tend to participate in learning relatively little. A recent survey provides comparable insight for the first time into the scale of participation in learning by adult prisoners. The large majority of countries (15 out of 20, including for example AT, BE(nl), CY, FI, GR, HU, NL, PL, SK, UK-Scotland & UK-Wales) reported that less than a quarter of prisoners participate in education and training. Exceptions include countries such as Germany, where between a half and three quarters participate in education and training. There are a number of ways in which the attractiveness, quality and efficiency of prison education and training can be improved. These include increasing cooperation inside the prison between different actors as well as between prisons and local communities in order to ensure that the education and training provided in prisons is supported and can continue post-release. Innovative learning methods, which put the emphasis on the learner and build on their knowledge and experience, are needed to attract prisoners into learning. This can include the use of ICT and distance learning, which not only expand the scope of learning opportunities but also ensure that learning can continue even in situations where the prisoner changes prisons. The use of innovative learning methods requires skilled teachers and trainers with sound pedagogic skills and a good understanding of the demands and limitations of providing education in prisons. This highlights the importance of both initial and in-service training of prison educators. The report shows how education and training for prisoners help reduce the social costs of crime and support the rehabilitation of prisoners and their reintegration into society. It further provides an overview of key European policies and funding programmes related to prison education and training, highlighting their added value and contribution to the development of innovative and new approaches to education provision in prisons. It then looks into the current 'state-of-play' with regard to provision in prisons across Europe, providing some concrete examples from individual Member States. The conclusions identify key elements for efficient and effective education and training provision in prisons as well as specific needs for further research on the complex interplay between education and criminal behaviour. Details: Brussels: European Commission, 2013. 62p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 3, 2017 at: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/education_culture/repository/education/library/study/2013/prison_en.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Europe URL: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/education_culture/repository/education/library/study/2013/prison_en.pdf Shelf Number: 140807 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsEducation Prisoner Education Vocational Education and Training |
Author: O'Brien, Rachel Title: A Matter of Conviction: A blueprint for community-based rehabilitative prisons Summary: A Matter of Conviction: A Blueprint for Community-Based Rehabilitative Prisons In January 2016, the RSA and Transition Spaces embarked on the Future Prison project, which set out to explore how prisons in England and Wales could better support rehabilitation. This final report sets out a blueprint for a community-based rehabilitative prison and a policy framework to support such models. • The annual cost of reoffending to the taxpayer in England and Wales is estimated to be between £9.5 and £13bn. • Around 70,000 people left prison in England and Wales in 2015. • The number of adults who took their own lives in prison in the 12 months prior to June 2016, was 28 percent higher than the previous year. • The number of officer grade staff working in prisons fell by 28 percent between 2010 and 2016. • Within one year of release, 46 percent of adults are reconvicted. This rises to 60 percent for those serving sentences of less than 12 months. Conclusions • The potential impact that prisons could have on reducing reoffending and community safety has been undermined by a lack of consistent political leadership and clear purpose. • This has led to reactive policy, episodic change, an over-centralised system which has disempowered the workforce and undermined public confidence. • The government’s commitment to prison reform is welcome and must be underpinned by a long-term vision of reform capable of securing cross-party consensus and mobilising public support Details: London: Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA), 2016. 146p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 11, 2017 at: https://www.thersa.org/discover/publications-and-articles/reports/a-matter-of-conviction-a-blueprint-for-community-based-prisons Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.thersa.org/discover/publications-and-articles/reports/a-matter-of-conviction-a-blueprint-for-community-based-prisons Shelf Number: 140871 Keywords: Community Corrections Community-Based Corrections Correctional ProgramsPrison Reform Rehabilitation |
Author: Hopkins, Tom Title: Turning Pages, Changing Lives: Evaluation of the Shannon Trust Turning Pages programme Summary: Turning Pages is a newly developed reading programme by Shannon Trust and, whilst it shares a focus on phonics with its predecessor Toe by Toe, it has many unique factors that aim to contribute to the development and acquisition of reading in adult Learners within the context of prison. This evaluation therefore aims to monitor the impact Turning Pages has on Learners and Mentors and by doing so aims to answer the following research questions: • How effective are the Turning Pages teaching methods in improving reading ability in adults? • How important are the delivery methods in prisons, the quality of provision and the impact of the one on the other? • What are the wider benefits/outcomes to Learners and Mentors of involvement in Turning Pages? The evaluation drew on multiple theoretical perspectives to address these questions and to make judgements about effectiveness. Phonological awareness and de-coding skills were assessed through the use of quantitative, standardised word and non-word reading tests undertaken over a six-month period. As Turning Pages incorporates five manuals that contain interactive learning activities for Learners, the evaluation considered the impact manual progression had on Learners’ reading ability. The impact of working with Turning Pages on the lives of Learners and Mentors was explored through semi-structured interviews and discussion groups. Key Findings How effective are the Turning Pages teaching methods in improving reading ability in adults? • Turning Pages was able to promote the word decoding skills and sight word reading of adult Learners through the application of a synthetic phonics based approach. • Significant gains in word reading and non-word reading scores were found for all Learners involved in the Turning Pages evaluation (regardless of their initial reading ability) during the first three months and from baseline to the final six-month period. • Learners reported an increase in reading confidence over the six-month period. • Learners reported a significant increase in their self-rated reading attainment, enjoyment and reading comprehension ability over the six-month period. • Learners who had either completed Turning Pages or were reading the final manual, read significantly more words and non-words compared to their peers and rated themselves as more able readers over the six-month period. • Learners and Mentors place significant value on the informal, non-institutional nature of Turning Pages and identified the adult focus of the programme, one-to-one support of Mentors and the opportunity to work at their own pace as key factors in supporting successful learning. How important are the delivery methods in prisons, quality of provision and the impact of the one on the other? • The Learner/Mentor pairing is highly valued by all parties and central to the success of the programme. The nuanced, individualised approach to support taken by Mentors (‘grounded pedagogies’) in negotiation with their Learners is seen by Learners as central to their success. • The success of Turning Pages is related to the ‘un-schooled’, social approach Turning Pages has to adult learning (i.e. occurring outside formal education) which, based upon responses in this evaluation, has been shown to attract Learners. • The number of weekly sessions Learners had with Mentors ranged from 3 to 5. The number of reading sessions was not found to have an effect on reading performance. It may be possible therefore for Learners to vary the number of sessions each week without negatively affecting reading improvement. It is still recommended, however, that the full allocation of 5 sessions is made available to all Learners. • Learners attending functional skills classes read fewer words and non-words than their peers and they were also completing the reading manuals at a significantly slower rate. However, this sub-group still showed improvement in their reading abilities. The fact that most reported having a diagnosis of dyslexia suggests that this (along with other potential learning needs) may be contributing to their slower rate of reading acquisition and manual progression. • Learners were progressing through the manuals with most having reached either the second manual or stage two of the first after the first three months and after six-months, most Learners had either completed Turning Pages or had reached the final manual. This suggests that the duration of six months at the intensity of around 3-5 weekly sessions was enough for Learners to reach the final stages of the reading programme. • Manual progression was related to perceived reading improvement and gains in reading scores, suggesting that improvement in reading over time was related to the Turning Pages manuals. • Significant positive correlations were found between perceived reading ability, perceived reading enjoyment and perceived reading comprehension ability at the six-month stage, and perceived ratings also correlated significantly with word and non-word reading scores at the three-month stage. This suggests that some importance should be weighted to the promotion of reading enjoyment, comprehension and reader confidence in the reading sessions for Learners engaged in Turning Pages. What are the wider benefits/outcomes to Learners and Mentors of involvement in Turning Pages? • Findings show that after the six-month intervention, Learners were reading more for functional participation within prison and for social engagement. This also included reading materials that Learners had reported a lack of confidence reading prior to their engagement with Turning Pages, such as legal letters, books and application forms. • Turning Pages provided Learners with productive opportunities to re-engage with learning, build confidence and work towards goals that were meaningful to their own lives. • Phase Two data suggests that working with Turning Pages provided important opportunities for Learners and Mentors to exercise a degree of choice in an otherwise highly regulated environment – this fed into a re-appraisal of their existing ideas and experiences of education and opened up opportunities for thoughtful reflection on the past, present and future. This enabled participants to begin to articulate new hopes and aspirations for the future. Recommendations For Shannon Trust • It is recommended that the reading plan model of participation (peer mentoring) continues to remain separate from formal compulsory education to maintain the un-schooled, social approach Turning Pages has to adult learning, which based upon responses in this evaluation has been shown to attract Learners. • To provide better access to more reading books (Readers) that accompany the manuals for Learners. • To consider including building opportunities for reading comprehension in to the manuals or associated materials to encourage Mentors to target reading comprehension in conjunction with the Readers. • To identify Learners with additional learning needs and Learners who are accessing literacy support to monitor their progression and provide any additional tailored support that focuses on reinforcing components learnt in the manuals. Promoting greater awareness of dyslexia and managing this through reading programmes like Turning Pages could be incorporated in the Mentor training. For the prison service and NOMS • To promote awareness of Turning Pages across all prison staff and prospective Learners and in partnership with Shannon Trust develop a standardised model to which new potential Learners are introduced and encouraged to participate in the reading programme. • Embed the Turning Pages sessions into the prison routine and other learning/educational sessions so as not to disrupt Learners’ free time and to ensure that sessions are being delivered. For research • To fully test the effectiveness of Turning Pages, any outcomes measured would need to be compared to a comparison group who are ideally also receiving a similar educational intervention. • It would be useful to gain information on the way in which Mentors creatively tailor their approach to Learners in conjunction with the resources used in Turning Pages and to identify the extent to which this contributes to a successful learning experience for Learners enrolled on Turning Pages. • To assess prison staff’s awareness of Turning Pages and its psycho-social benefits in order to highlight potential solutions for increasing awareness and Learner recruitment. • To monitor the long-term value and benefits of working with Turning Pages in a longitudinal impact study. • To monitor the implementation of any reading comprehension activities and the extent to which this aids the development of reading. Details: London: Shannon Trust, 2017. 96p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 11, 2017 at: http://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/3809/1/report Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/3809/1/report Shelf Number: 144828 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsEducational ProgramsLiteracy ProgramsMentoring ProgramsPrisoner RehabilitationReading Programs |
Author: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Work and Pensions Committee Title: Support for Ex-offenders. Fifth Report of Session 2016-17 Summary: The Government's own assessment of the prison system is that it fails to rehabilitate or make sure criminals are prevented from reoffending. The cost to the taxpayer of reoffending stands at around L15 billion per year. It is in society's interest to bring this cost down. Members of this Committee have assisted constituents with firsthand experience of failures in rehabilitation; individuals leaving prison with no fixed accommodation, no financial support and no prospect of finding work. Employment significantly reduces the chances of reoffending. It can also lead to other positive outcomes that have been shown to reduce reoffending, such as financial security and finding a safe and permanent home. We have heard from businesses who have successfully worked with prisons to get ex-offenders into jobs but more employers must follow suit. Individuals entering prison have a range of complex needs. Nearly one-third report a learning difficulty or disability and almost half report having no school qualifications. They enter a prison system where the landscape of education and employment support is fragmented, and good practice is patchy and inconsistent. Added to this are the challenges of rising levels of violence in prisons, a reduction in prison officer numbers and pressure on capacity. Education and employment in prison The problem of employment support in prison is partly one of coordination. Currently, there is no clear strategy for how different agencies, in different prisons, should work together to achieve the common goal of getting ex-offenders into work. We urge the Government to state clearly who has ultimate responsibility for helping prison leavers into work. The Government, charities, employers and ex-offenders themselves all agree that the 'gold standard' of employment support involves employers working in prisons and offering work placements through Release on Temporary License. Over the course of this inquiry, we have seen many examples of good practice, such as work done by Blue Sky, a company that works to understand employer's labour needs, delivers training in prisons and places ex-offenders into jobs. Details: London: House of Commons, 2016. 51p. Source: Internet Resource: Fifth Report of Session 2016-17; HC 58: Accessed February 11, 2017 at: https://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmworpen/58/58.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmworpen/58/58.pdf Shelf Number: 145020 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsEx-offender EmploymentInmate Work ProgramsPrisoner Education and TrainingPrisoner ReentryRehabilitation ProgramsReoffending |
Author: Sindicich, Natasha Title: Patient Motivations, Perceptions and Experiences of Opioid Substitution Therapy in Prison Summary: People with opioid dependence are overrepresented in correctional settings (AIHW, 2013; Indig et al., 2010). Opioid substitution therapy (OST) is an effective treatment for opioid dependence, reducing illicit opioid use (Mattick, Breen, Kimber, & Davoli, 2009, 2014) and mortality (Degenhardt et al., 2011). OST is provided in correctional settings in many jurisdictions around the world (HRI, 2014), but there has been limited examination of the patient experience of opioid substitution therapy (OST) in correctional settings. Unexplored issues include reasons for entering (or not entering) treatment; patient perceptions of advantages and disadvantages of OST in prison; and preferences to cease or remain in treatment on release from prison. This latter issue is of particular importance, as clinicians report that patients often wish to cease OST prior to release, even when informed of the risk of overdose and benefits of remaining in treatment. This qualitative study aimed to examine patient motivations for, and perceptions and experiences of, OST in prisons in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Forty-seven participants were recruited from seven correctional centres across NSW between September 2012 and October 2013. All participants had a recorded history of opioid use and/or dependence. To ensure a broad range of perspectives were obtained, participants were selected on the basis of specific exposures to OST: Exposure group A (n=7): New inductions to OST. These individuals were within 28 days of commencing OST at the time of interview. They may have been in OST previously, in community or custodial settings; Exposure group B (n=11): Continuing OST from the community. This group of patients had been in OST prior to custody, and were in treatment in custody for at least 28 days before interview (i.e. had some familiarity with the opioid treatment program in prison). Exposure group C (n=10): Commenced OST in custody. These participants were in treatment for at least 28 days before interview (i.e. had some familiarity with the opioid treatment program in prison). Exposure group D (n=9): Voluntarily ceased OST in custody. Exposure group E (n=10): Patients who reported heroin use on reception to prison, but have not entered OST or have declined to be placed on the OST waiting list during this custodial sentence. The sample was predominantly male (n=32; 68%), and 18 participants (38%) identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. The average age of participants was 35 years. Three-quarters (n=35, 75%) of the sample were sentenced, 11 were on remand, and one participant was unsure of sentencing status. The majority (n=42; 89%) reported a previous incarceration history. Twenty-eight participants were currently prescribed OST (methadone n=27, 57%; buprenorphine-naloxone-naloxone n=1, 2%). Findings by exposure group Among new OST inductions (Group A, n=7), reasons for commencing OST included wanting to abstain from drug use in prison and in the community upon release, as well as to aid with opioid withdrawal. Some participants noted the role of OST in the management of chronic pain. Benefits of OST identified by this group included elimination of opioid cravings, and the financial advantages of not buying drugs in prison. Criticisms of the opioid treatment program reported by this group included the waiting period to enter the program, with over half reporting drug use during this period in order to manage withdrawal symptoms. All participants in this group reported a willingness to stay in OST post-release, with two participants noting that they would prefer to be switched from methadone to buprenorphine formulations due to the lower frequency of administration (every second day) and higher number of ‘take-away’ doses available, which was deemed more practical for meeting employment commitments. Almost all (10/11) Group B patients (continuing OST from the community) were satisfied to remain in OST. Most (7/11) were willing to continue with OST post-release, so as to avoid drug relapse. As in Group A, two participants reported a preference to switch from methadone to buprenorphine-naloxone formulations post-release. For those who were wanting to cease treatment prior to release, reasons for this included pressure from family members and friends, the stigma attached to OST, the long-term nature of OST, and the perceived side-effects of poor dental health and appearing "stoned". Group C (n=10) were current OST patients who had commenced OST during this custodial period. Participants in this group reported drug use and unsafe injecting practices while in prison before commencing treatment. Most (6/10) reported that they would remain in OST post-release, at least until they felt they were stable and had a daily routine in the community. Those who wanted to cease treatment prior to release reported that they were primarily on OST for the management of their chronic pain and that on their release, they would seek other medication, often the preferred opioid analgesic they were prescribed prior to custody. Group D (n=9) had ceased OST during their current incarceration period. Around half (4/9) of participants in this group expressed interest in re-starting OST. Motivations for restarting OST included wanting to cease drug use in prison, and prevention of opioid withdrawal. Again, it was reported that drug use and unsafe injecting practices occurred during waiting periods to enrol in treatment. Reasons for ceasing OST related to release from prison and a reluctance to continue in OST due to the long-term nature of treatment, daily stressors of obtaining methadone in the community, and previous unsuccessful attempts OST episodes in the community. Group E (n=10) were people with a history of opioid use and/or dependence who had not entered OST in this period of incarceration. Seven participants in this group reported prior OST in the community or during previous incarcerations. Six of the ten participants in this group reported that they would like to be in OST, preferably prescribed a buprenorphine-naloxone formulation. Recurrent themes across groups Perceptions of opioid treatment program operation Participants were critical of the time taken to be assessed for OST and commenced on treatment. Participants perceived that this process was expedited if they reported drug use in prison to health centre staff; however, drug use is not a high priority indication for treatment entry per se (unlike pregnancy or HIV seropositivity, for example), so it is unclear if this perception was valid. Once treatment had commenced, participants perceived that there was a lack of monitoring and limited discussion of long-term treatment plans, particularly in relation to ceasing OST. Some participants questioned the motivations of other OST patients; for example, people with no recent history of opioid use who requested assessment for the opioid treatment program, or patients who deliberately requested higher doses of medicine than necessary in order to feel intoxicated. Intentions to cease OST prior to or on release Around one-third of current OST patients reported an intention to cease OST prior to or on release from prison. Participants identified aspects of OST in the community that they perceived as restrictive (e.g. daily dosing; difficulties in travelling to clinics within opening hours; difficulties going away from home). Some participants expressed concern that attending an OST clinic would result in drug use and/or crime as a result of exposure to past associates. Participants also expressed concern about the long-term nature of OST, with the perception that OST was replacing one addiction for another and in conflict with the goal of being "drug free". Participants also identified the stigma attached to OST as a reason for ceasing treatment prior to release. For some participants, this issue was framed in terms of where best to withdraw from OST, specifically methadone – in custody, or in the community. These participants identified the prison setting as a more fitting environment for managing withdrawal. Drug use in prison, including buprenorphine-naloxone diversion Across groups there was consensus that drugs including cannabis, heroin, methamphetamine, and buprenorphine-naloxone diverted from the opioid treatment program. Availability and pricing of drugs varied by prison. Drugs were injected and smoked. Awareness of the risk of blood borne virus transmission via sharing of needles and syringes was high, with specific mentions of risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV transmission. Participants reported use of needles and syringes by multiple people despite these risks. The issue of buprenorphine-naloxone diversion from the opioid treatment program was mentioned by 18 participants. Diversion appeared to occur largely in the context of patients being "stood over"; that is, being forced to give their buprenorphine-naloxone to someone else. Participants reported that people engaged in stand over behaviour to obtain buprenorphine-naloxone for their own use (medicating withdrawal symptoms, or getting intoxicated) or to sell for profit. Use of OST for chronic pain Five participants were prescribed methadone for the treatment of chronic pain. Participants generally stated a preference for other analgesic medicines. Methadone was, however, perceived as more effective for pain relief than other options available in the prison setting (e.g. ibuprofen). Naltrexone for the treatment of opioid dependence Over half of participants (27/47) had heard of naltrexone (either oral or implant formulation). There was some scepticism regarding the utility of naltrexone treatment for opioid dependence in the prison settings, primarily because participants believed that those prescribed naltrexone would continue to use, or commence using, non-opioid drugs. Discussion and conclusions Treatment seeking was often precipitated by drug use and injecting in prison. OST was also sought to medicate opioid withdrawal symptoms. Keeping prison-based OST numbers within a range that results in safe management both in custody and upon release to the community has led to delays in accessing OST for those patients seeking to commence treatment in prison, and patients clearly have strong negative views about this approach. Among some participants, the waiting list appeared to act as a barrier to initiating the process of commencing OST. Balancing the needs of opioid dependent patients against operational and capacity issues, and safety and security concerns, are ongoing challenges for clinical staff. With some exceptions, benefits of OST in prison were largely framed in terms of avoiding negative experiences or outcomes, rather than as direct positive benefits of treatment. These findings highlight that although OST is perceived as preventing negative outcomes, it is not necessarily seen as producing positive outcomes for the individual, such as better health or quality of life. This is line with previous research that has reported the considerable ambivalence that many opioid dependent persons have towards OST (Harris & Rhodes, 2013). Diversion of buprenorphine-naloxone from the opioid treatment program appeared to most commonly occur in the context of patients being "stood over" for their medicine, although there may also be patients who voluntarily engage in diversion. The potential for diversion of buprenorphine products used for OST in correctional settings has been previously identified (Gordon et al., 2014; Kinlock, Gordon, Schwartz, & Fitzgerald, 2010; Magura et al., 2009), and the combination buprenorphine-naloxone film was introduced into NSW correctional centres specifically in response to concerns regarding diversion of the mono-buprenorphine formulation (administered sublingually). Policies and procedures for reducing the incidence of diversion and for responding to identified cases of diversion are in place in correctional health centres in NSW. Despite the identified benefits of OST in prison, there was considerable ambivalence among patients regarding continuation of OST once released. Balancing the preference of many patients to cease OST prior to release against patient safety post-release is a substantial challenge for correctional health care providers. The weeks immediately after release from prison are associated with an elevated risk of drug-related death (compared to other time at liberty) (Merrall et al., 2010), and exposure to OST during this period is highly protective against mortality (Degenhardt et al., 2014). As such, correctional health care providers in NSW are trained to advise patients to remain in OST through their transition to the community, and are reluctant to assent to patient requests to cease OST prior to release. This tension between patient preference and evidence-informed clinical practice appears to be perceived by patients as a lack of consultation and/or poor treatment planning. Further work is needed examining provider perspectives of OST in prison, and determining models of care to enhance post-release engagement in OST. Participants reported that injecting drug use occurred in prisons. Awareness of the potential for HCV or HIV transmission through the sharing of injecting equipment was high; nonetheless, participants reported that sharing of needles and syringes was common. Participants perceived a needle and syringe program as feasible for the prevention of re-use of injecting equipment. This study has generated unique data on patient perspectives of OST in correctional settings. We have described patient perspectives on entry to, experiences of, and retention in, OST in prison and post-release. Our findings have highlighted the challenges facing opioid treatment providers in prison in addressing patient ambivalence towards OST and preferences to cease OST prior to release, and can inform the development of policies and clinical practices that are mindful of patient perspectives and concerns. These results are suggestive of the need for further work examining how best to attract and retain opioid dependent prisoners in treatment, including provider perspectives; evaluation of programs designed to increase post-release retention in OST (and other care), and quantitative analyses of retention in OST in prison and post-release. Details: Sydney: NATIONAL DRUG AND ALCOHOL RESEARCH CENTRE, UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES, 2016. 43p. Source: Internet Resource: Technical Report Number 332: Accessed February 24, 2017 at: https://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/ndarc/resources/Technical%20Report%20Number%20332.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Australia URL: https://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/ndarc/resources/Technical%20Report%20Number%20332.pdf Shelf Number: 141212 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsDrug Abuse and AddictionDrug Abuse TreatmentDrug OffendersOpioidsSubstance Abuse Treatment |
Author: Clinks Title: Valuing Volunteers in Prison: A Review of Volunteer Involvement in Prisons Summary: This report, commissioned at the request of Andrew Selous MP, explores how we can increase the amount and scope of prison volunteering across England and Wales. One of NOMS key priorities is supporting the use of volunteers in prisons. Clinks, NOMS, voluntary sector organisations and prisons have all been keen to identify good practice that can be used more widely to maximise the impact of volunteering and minimise any barriers that limit its use. This publication is intended to inform individuals and organisations involved with, or interested in, enhancing volunteering in prisons. It explores four connected questions: What are the benefits of volunteering in prisons? Where are there current examples of good practice, and where are there gaps? What are the key supports and barriers to effective volunteer involvement in prisons? And what actions would support the development of more effective volunteering? FINDINGS The report finds: Prison volunteering has clear benefits for stakeholders. Several factors support successful volunteering including clear strategic oversight at governor level; robust recruitment procedures; support with security vetting; and good management and supervision. Models of volunteering vary, with some prisons having a clear strategy. However, most prisons we visited did not have a whole-organisation approach to volunteer involvement. Barriers to successful volunteering include delays to recruitment, often associated with security vetting and training; a large time commitment often during office hours; and lack of support from prison staff. RECOMMENDATIONS The report makes seven recommendations including: clear roles should be identified for volunteers, and their work should be strategically integrated prisons and their partners should proactively recruit volunteers from as diverse a base as possible volunteering should receive a consistent level of coordination and support.. Details: London: Clinks, 2016. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 7, 2017 at: http://www.clinks.org/sites/default/files/basic/files-downloads/valuing_volunteering_in_prison_-_a_review_of_volunteer_involvement_in_prisons_july_2016_final.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.clinks.org/sites/default/files/basic/files-downloads/valuing_volunteering_in_prison_-_a_review_of_volunteer_involvement_in_prisons_july_2016_final.pdf Shelf Number: 141372 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsPrisoner RehabilitationVolunteers |
Author: Devis-Devis, Jose Title: Sport and physical activity in European prisons: A perspective from sport personnel Summary: This report is elaborated with the literature review on physical activity and sport in prison and data from a survey study addressed to prisons sport personnel of five European Union (EU) countries (Belgium-Flanders, Denmark, Romania, Spain and The Netherlands). The report is developed by the partner Universitat de València-Estudi General (UVEG), as part of the 'Prisoners on the move' project. The comparative nature of the survey study requires acknowledging that each European country has its own history and their own penitentiary system has been organized in keeping with the development of every country. It means that commonalities and differences among countries would emerge and previous comments on several issues will be needed in order to make comparisons among the five countries of this study. Three issues are of special interest in this project, especially developed from a sport personnel perspective: 1) the centralization-decentralization of penitentiary systems organization; 2) the possible participation of institutions from outside of the penitentiary system; and 3) the role of physical activity and sport in the laws and regulations of these systems. The degree of centralization or decentralization of penitentiary systems in European countries affects to the way sport professionals can be employed and the institution in charge of personnel’s employment. For instance, Denmark and Romania have a centralized system and it means that sport personnel’s employment has the same characteristics in the whole country and is strictly controlled by the institution in charge of prisons. On the contrary, Belgium presents a decentralized system in which the different landers have the sport activities and sport personnel under their own control and organization. Spain is under a decentralization process of its penitentiary system, started in Catalunya as the first region with responsibilities in the management of penitentiary system, which includes the control of sport activities and the employment of sport personnel. Participation of other institutions from outside of the penitentiary system is linked to the centralization-decentralization issue, since countries with a centralized organization, such as Denmark and Romania, do not allow the collaboration of private institutions, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) or volunteers within the activities in prisons. On the contrary, more decentralized systems, such as the ones from Belgium and Spain, allow the participation of institutions from outside the prisons in the development of activities for inmates. The role of physical activity and sport in the laws and regulations related to penitentiary system also differ among the countries under study. In this case, Belgium-Flanders and Denmark mainly assign a recreational role to physical activity and sport since their regulations assure two hours of physical activity and sport in the spare time of prison regimentation. Romania and Spain also concede an educational role to physical activities. Sport and physical activities become an official programme within the prison system and coexist with the same status as inmates' formal education/school. Although sport can also be part of school or formal education, for instance in Denmark, it is mainly understood as informal and entertaining activity to take a break or rest from the educational activities. Details: Valencia, Spain: Universitat de València, 2014. 54p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed march 30, 2017 at: http://www.prisonersonthemove.eu/prisoners-on-the-move/reports1/final-reports Year: 2014 Country: Europe URL: http://www.prisonersonthemove.eu/prisoners-on-the-move/reports1/final-reports Shelf Number: 144634 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsPhysical Activity Prison Programs Sports |
Author: Pesta, George Title: An Evaluation of the Educational Services for Youth in the Polk County Jail Summary: On August 8, 2013 the Polk County School Board entered into a Settlement Agreement with the Southern Poverty Law Center regarding the level and quality of educational services provided youth in the Polk County Central jail. The Polk County Central Jail is located at 2390 Bob Phillips Rd. Bartow, FL 33830. The Polk County Sherriff’s Office is responsible for the administration and security at the jail and is required to follow the Florida Model Jail Standards as administered by the Florida Sherriff's Association and the Florida Association of Counties. In addition, the Sherriff's office has an active agreement with the Polk County School Board for the provision of educational services for Juvenile and Direct File youth in the jail. Overall the jail is designed to house 800 inmates. Inmate populations include: adult females, adult males, adult trusty inmates, pre-adjudicated juveniles and juveniles that have been direct filed as adults. Juveniles and Direct Files are held in separate housing areas away from the adult inmates. The school board provides education services to three distinct populations within the jail; Juvenile youth, Direct File youth and female youth. Pre-adjudicated youth are defined as "Juveniles" under the age of 18 (at the time of their offense) who are awaiting their juvenile court date. Once the Juveniles are adjudicated they are either committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice and transferred from the jail or they are released back to their community. These youth have short lengths of stay generally ranging from one to fifteen days. The Direct File youth are those under the age of 18 at the time of their offences, but the State’s Attorney's office chose to transfer the cases from the juvenile court and file it in the adult criminal court. These youth may spend up to 18 months in the jail and some eventually transfer to the Department of Corrections or to the South County jail upon their 18th birthday. The female youth comprise both Juveniles and Direct Files, but remain separated from the adult and juvenile males for both custody and education. Each group of youth remain separated in different wings of the jail and each group has their own classrooms and teachers. In addition, the Juveniles and Direct Files are treated separately by the school administration. Each group has their own lead educator, school registrar and transition personnel. Special education personnel and services are shared across groups. Currently, the Juveniles are educated in a portable at the back of the jail complex that houses two classrooms, a computer lab and a small library. Staff for this wing include two teachers, a para-professional and a school resource officer (SRO) whose salary is partially supported by the school board. The Direct Files are educated inside a primary jail building that has two classrooms near their pods. This group is educated by two teachers and a paraprofessional. Juvenile and Direct File females are mixed for education in one classroom on the second floor of a primary jail building. The educational staff for the females consists of one teacher. On the week of the first site visit in December, 2013 there were a total of 84 youth including 35 Juveniles and 49 Direct Files. This included 77 males and seven females. In addition, 30 of the 84 youth were identified as needing special education services. This evaluation employs a process evaluation framework that is focused upon the verification of educational services provided to the youth housed in the Polk County Central Jail. The specific evaluation areas were drawn from the concerns highlighted in the settlement agreement between the Polk County School Board and the Southern Poverty Law Center and Florida’s Educational Quality Assurance Standards for Juvenile Detention Centers. These standards were originally developed by the Juvenile Justice Educational Enhancement Program and the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Florida State University. Funded by the Florida Department of Education, from 1998 to 2010 JJEEP was responsible for conducting annual quality assurance reviews of all of Florida’s juvenile justice educational programs. The educational quality assurance standards are based upon state and federal educational requirements, best practice research, and practitioner input. Moreover, the standards were revised annually using input from educational administrators throughout the state during standards revision meetings, as new evidence was obtained through a continuous review of the literature, and as new federal requirements emerged such as No Child Left Behind. Finally, the educational quality assurance standards were validated by JJEEP through longitudinal research of youth released from juvenile justice programs throughout the state and case studies of high- and low-performing programs. JJEEP’s model of quality assurance, technical assistance, research and policy in the field of juvenile justice education has been recognized by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and the American Correctional Association (ACA) as a model demonstration program and has been promulgated in numerous states throughout the nation. The reported findings and recommendations are drawn from a preponderance of evidence from multiple sources of data compiled through staff and student interviews, observations and a review of school documentation including student files during two site visits. The first 3-day site visit occurred from December 4 through December 6, 2013; the second 4-day site visit occurred from January 28 through January 31, 2014. Each site visit included discussions and debriefings with school district administrators to discuss preliminary findings and recommendations. School personnel were provided opportunities to supply missing information and/or clarify information both during and after the site visits. Details: Tallahassee: Florida State University, Center for Criminology and Public Policy Research, 2014. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 5, 2017 at: http://criminology.fsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/An-Evaluation-of-the-Educational-Services-for-Youth-in-the-Polk-County-Jail.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://criminology.fsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/An-Evaluation-of-the-Educational-Services-for-Youth-in-the-Polk-County-Jail.pdf Shelf Number: 144716 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsEducational Programs Jail Inmates Juvenile Inmates Juvenile Offenders |
Author: Loeffler-Cobia, Jennifer Title: Utah Department of Corrections Evidence-Based Practice Adherence Summary Report Summary: According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, in 2013, Utah released 94% of its prison population back into the community, meaning that these previous offenders are back working and living in society. With the majority of offenders returning to their communities, politicians, policy makers, program administrators, researchers, and government officials often ask "are our programs working to reduce recidivism?" That is, we want to know "is the money that we allocate to our prison and jail treatment programs providing the skills offenders need to be productive members of society and yielding positive results?" So how do correction programs provide effective interventions to decrease recidivism? Current research points to eight principles that, when reflected in the system policies, procedures, and day-to-day work of community corrections agencies, increase the likelihood of offender risk reduction (Smith, Gendreau & Swartz, 2009). The eight principles are (see Figure 1. National Institute of Correction's Eight Principles of Effective Intervention): 1. Assess Actuarial Risk/Needs; 2. Enhance Intrinsic Motivation; Target Interventions Risk Principle: Prioritize supervision and treatment resources for higher risk offenders. Need Principle: Target interventions to criminogenic (correlated to crime) needs. Responsivity Principle: Be responsive to temperament, learning style, motivation, culture, and gender when assigning programs. Dosage: Structure 40-70% of high-risk offenders' time for three to nine months. Treatment Principle: Integrate treatment into the full sentence/sanction requirements. 3. Skill Train with Directed Practice (e.g., use cognitive behavioral treatment methods); 4. Increase Positive Reinforcement; 5. Engage Ongoing Support in Natural Communities; 7. Measure Relevant Processes/Practices; and 8. Provide Measurement Feedback However, building an evidence-based criminal justice system requires more than just having an understanding of the research that constructed these eight principles. It requires a commitment to fundamentally changing the way criminal justice organizations operate and the way that policy makers, funders, providers and other stakeholders work together. To invest criminal justice reform and make the commitment required, in 2014, Governor Gary Herbert introduced the Utah Justice Reinvestment Initiative (UJRI) that called for a review of the current criminal justice system and will guide a strategic plan to decrease recidivism. As part of the UJRI review, the Utah Criminal Justice Center (UCJC) at the University of Utah was asked to evaluate prison and jail treatment programs on their adherence to these evidence-based practices (EBP) and provided technical assistance surrounding improving treatment practices. The Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) has worked assiduously toward the goal of having their treatment programs become evidence-based and contribute to the criminal justice reform efforts and overall improve public safety in Utah. To this end, 5 prison and 3 jail treatment programs were selected to participate in a program evaluation and quality improvement process with UCJC to enhance their service delivery to be more consistent with EBP. This report is a summary of the eight program evaluations and results of a focus group conducted with program directors. This evaluation provides valuable information on where not only correction treatment programs can improve their practice, but where the Utah criminal justice system can improve as well. The recommendations provided in this report will act as a roadmap for sustainable implementation and replication of EBP in Utah and to develop a just, effective, and evidence-based system. Details: Salt Lake City: Utah Criminal Justice Center, University of Utah, 2015. 43p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 11, 2017 at: http://ucjc.utah.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015-CCJJ_UDC-EBP-Adherence-Summary-ReportFinal-for-Distribution.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://ucjc.utah.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015-CCJJ_UDC-EBP-Adherence-Summary-ReportFinal-for-Distribution.pdf Shelf Number: 144796 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsCorrectional Treatment ProgramsEvidence-Based PracticesRecidivismRehabilitation Programs |
Author: Clinks Title: The Rehabilitative Prison: What does 'good' look like? Summary: This Clinks discussion paper aims to provide an early opportunity for voluntary sector organisations to contribute views on the forthcoming prison reforms, and invites your responses to some key questions. What would characterise a different prison regime 'conducive to rehabilitation'? What might 'good' look like in a newly designed prison? What could 'good' - or perhaps 'good enough' - start to look like across the rest of the prison estate? Over the coming months, as more detailed proposals emerge from government about the intended reforms, Clinks will be offering a variety of opportunities for these and other questions to be debated with our members and other key stakeholders. In the meantime, your responses to this paper will give policy makers and autonomous governors the benefit of learning from the sector in seeking to create a truly rehabilitative culture in prisons. Some key questions posed by the paper: Do you think a smaller prison population is a pre-requisite for a reformed prison system focused on rehabilitation? If safety, decency and humanity constitute the bedrock of a rehabilitative culture, should these be viewed as key indicators of the rehabilitative 'health' of each establishment? What might a 'good' prison regime look like that addresses each individual's reoffending risk factors and does so within an environment geared to supporting long-term desistance? What would be the necessary pre-conditions for truly effective involvement of the voluntary sector as the reforms progress, particularly for smaller organisations? Details: London: Clinks, 2016. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 9, 2017 at: http://www.clinks.org/sites/default/files/basic/files-downloads/clinks_rehabilitative-prison_final-web.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.clinks.org/sites/default/files/basic/files-downloads/clinks_rehabilitative-prison_final-web.pdf Shelf Number: 145990 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsOffender Rehabilitation Prison Reform Prisons Voluntary and Community Organizations |
Author: Mews, Aidan Title: Impact evaluation of the prison-based Core Sex Offender Treatment Programme Summary: The aim of the research was to extend the evidence base on the effectiveness of treatment for sexual offenders. This study measures the impact of the prison-based Core Sex Offender Treatment Programme (SOTP) on the re-offending outcomes of sex offenders in England and Wales, whilst controlling for the different observable characteristics, needs, and risk factors of offenders. Core1 SOTP is a cognitive-behavioural psychological intervention designed by the HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) for imprisoned men who have committed sexual offences. The Programme is intended to reduce sexual reoffending amongst participants by identifying and addressing known criminogenic needs. It was accredited for use in prisons in 1992 by the then HM Prison and Probation Service Prison and Probation Services Joint Accreditation Panel, which later became the Correctional Services Accreditation and Advice Panel (CSAAP). The CSAAP help the MOJ and HMPPS to develop and implement high quality offending behaviour programmes and promote excellence in programmes designed to reduce reoffending. Programmes are assessed against a set of criteria derived from the "what works" evidence base. These include having a clear model of change, effective risk management, targeting offending behaviour, employing effective methods, ensuring relevance to individual learning styles, and maintaining the quality and integrity of delivery. Changes have been made to the targets, the content, and the methods used in Core SOTP since its introduction in response to emerging research. As a result, during the course of this study (and in the period thereafter) the Programme has changed. However, it remains a cognitive behavioural group based treatment approach. It was, and remains, available in approximately one-sixth of male prison establishments in England and Wales and is intended for individuals sentenced to 12 months or more, who had either a current or previous (sentence) sex offence, were willing to engage in treatment, and were not in denial of their offending. There were 2,562 convicted sex offenders who started treatment under the prison-based Core Sex Offender Treatment Programme between 2000 and 2012 in England and Wales. These were matched to 13,219 co Police National Computer (PNC) records, SOTP treatment records, and the Offender Assessment System (OASys) database (where available). Standardised mean differences between the matched treated and comparison groups for the matching factors showed that the matching quality achieved was excellent. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to match sexual offenders who participated in Core SOTP (treated sex offenders) to similar sexual offenders who did not. PSM is a statistical matching technique which uses factors theoretically and empirically associated with both receiving the treatment and the outcome variable (i.e. reoffending) to predict a 'propensity score', which represents the likelihood of entering treatment. This propensity score is then used to match treated individuals to comparison offenders who are similar to them. The matched treatment and comparison groups were then compared on an extensive range of proven reoffending outcomes (sexual and non-sexual). These outcome measures were calculated over a period of up to 13.9 years (average of 8.2 years) starting from each offender's release from prison between 2002 and 2012, with the follow-up period finishing in October 2015. For all individuals in this study (the treatment group plus the unmatched comparison group), the binary reoffending rate for all offences was 38.3% and the sexual reoffending rate excluding breaches,4 was 7.5%. These are low when compared to international studies but are within the range of other UK-based studies on reconviction rates for sex offenders (Craig et al., 2008). PSM can provide a robust quasi-experimental approach, although offenders can only be matched on observable variables. While extensive efforts were undertaken in identifying relevant factors, it is possible that unobserved factors could influence the findings that emerge from this research. Such factors include deviant sexual interest, general self-regulation problems and the degree of violence associated with the current sexual offence. Key findings The main findings of the analysis were as follows: - Some statistically significant differences were detected over an average 8.2 year follow up period. They were small in magnitude although they widened over the follow-up period. In particular: - More treated sex offenders committed at least one sexual reoffence (excluding breach) during the follow-up period when compared with the matched comparison offenders (10.0% compared with 8.0%). - More treated sex offenders committed at least one child image reoffence during the follow-up period when compared with the matched comparison offenders (4.4% compared with 2.9 %). Otherwise, the matched treated and comparison groups had similar reoffending rates across a variety of outcome measures. - A variety of sensitivity analyses were performed, which mostly focused on the sexual reoffending measure. The sexual reoffending treatment effect was found to be reasonably stable across these. As previously noted, it is possible that these results could be materially influenced by unobserved factors. However, such factors would need to increase both the odds of treatment and the odds of reoffending after controlling for the observable factors that were included within the matching process. In fact to conclude that the sexual re-offending treatment impact is not statistically significantly different from a reduction of 2 percentage points, the odds of treatment and re-offending would both need to increase by 122%. This increases to 219% for a 5 percentage point reduction. While the sensitivity analysis, involving both treatment and comparison groups, shows reoffending rates to be higher for individuals who have higher risk profiles, the matching process includes a range of factors that are used to determine risk. Conclusions The results suggest that while Core SOTP in prisons is generally associated with little or no changes in sexual and non-sexual reoffending, there were some statistically significant differences. The small changes in the sexual reoffending rate suggest that either Core SOTP does not reduce sexual reoffending as it intends to do, or that the true impact of the Programme was not detected. This study draws on large treatment and comparison groups, long follow-ups, and many matching factors, thus addressing the most common shortcomings in the research field on sex offenders' reoffending behaviour. However it still has a number of limitations that could either bias the findings or the interpretation of them. In particular: - It is impossible to conclusively rule out the absence of variables relating to deviant sexual interest, general self-regulation problems and the degree of violence associated with the current sexual offence that could possibly influence the results. Moreover, it is possible that the available data do not fully account for issues such as motivation to address offending behaviour. However, these absences are at least partly accounted for by matching factors included in this study (e.g. sexual deviancy by matching factors covering previous offending). Furthermore as shown above, what remains unaccounted for would need to have strong relationships both with participation onto treatment and reoffending to conclude that Core SOTP is associated with a reduction in sexual reoffending. - The estimated impact of Core SOTP was found to be similar when removing from the comparison group those who were identified as having done community SOTP. However, it will include some differences between the matched treatment and comparison groups that reflect changes occurring after the prison sentence has commenced and which are not associated with the provision of Core SOTP. Such factors include participation on other treatment programmes in prison and in the community, differences in offender management and in supervision, and regional demographics e.g. in employment rates. - Availability of good quality data on all factors which determine an offenders' participation on core SOTP, was also a particular issue. It is possible that paucity of data on some key offender characteristics including denial of offending, and a degree of self-selection, could bias the results. Details: London: Ministry of Justice, 2017. 65p. Source: Internet Resource: Ministry of Justice Analytical Series: Accessed June 30, 2017 at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/623876/sotp-report-web-.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/623876/sotp-report-web-.pdf Shelf Number: 146479 Keywords: Cognitive-Behavioral TreatmentCorrectional ProgramsRecidivismReoffendingSex Offender TreatmentSex Offenders |
Author: Fair, Helen Title: Peer relations: Review of learning from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Prison Reform Fellowships - Part IV Summary: This Briefing is concerned with the broad theme of 'connections'. Its particular focus is on interventions visited by the Churchill Fellows which aim to harness the power of peer relations towards positive goals. - This report looks at the importance of positive peer relations at all stages of the criminal justice programme, specifically: - Peer relations as a tool to support desistance and diversion - Promoting positive peer relations in prison - Peer support on release from prison - Research has long documented the enormous influence of peer pressure - whether positive or negative - on offending behaviour. Positive peer pressure is utilised in work with young fathers and programmes which help to develop youth leadership, while work to reduce gang violence aims to counteract the negative effects of peer pressure. - In England and Wales, the growing use and benefits of peer support across the prison estate have been recognised by inspectors. Mentoring roles encompass the provision of emotional support, advising, and facilitating self-help or learning. - Examples of peer support programmes visited by Fellows include a programme run by ex-prisoners in the US which encourages the peer-led and grassroots education of prisoners; the use of drama to promote positive behaviour in prison in South Africa; and a programme in the US which uses life sentence prisoners as 'social mentors' to help new prisoners to adapt to prison life. - The importance of peer support for those leaving prison and re-entering the community is widely recognised, and is increasingly viewed by the UK government as a key means of ensuring continuity of support for those released from prison. - Examples of such 'through the gate' support was seen in Finland, where former prisoners work with those being released from prison to help them access the services they need to resettle back into the community, and in the US through the Delancey Street Foundation, which is entirely staffed by people who have been through the prison system, and teaches marketable skills to recently released prisoners. Details: London: Prison Reform Trust, 2017. 14p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 1, 2017 at: http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/WCMT/peer_relations_FINAL.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/WCMT/peer_relations_FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 146485 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsInmatesPeer RelationsPeer SupportPrisoner ReentryPrisoner RehabilitationPrisonersVolunteers in Criminal Justice |
Author: Duwe, Grant Title: The Use and Impact of Correctional Programming for Inmates on Pre- and Post-Release Outcomes Summary: State and federal prisons have long provided programming to inmates during their confinement. Institutional programming encompasses a broad array of services and interventions, including substance abuse treatment, educational programming, and sex offender treatment. The objective of providing prisoners with programming is to improve their behavior, both before and after release from prison. Indeed, institutional programming is often intended to not only enhance public safety by lowering recidivism, but also to promote greater safety within prisons by reducing misconduct. Although U.S. correctional systems typically offer some programming opportunities within prisons, research suggests many prisoners do not participate in programming while incarcerated (Lynch & Sabol, 2001). This paper reviews the available evidence on the impact of institutional programming on pre- and post-release outcomes for prisoners. Given the wide variety of institutional interventions provided to inmates in state and federal prisons, this paper focuses on programming that: (1) is known to be provided to prisoners, (2) has been evaluated, and (3) addresses the main criminogenic needs, or dynamic risk factors, that existing research has identified. This paper, therefore, examines the empirical evidence on educational programming, employment programming, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), chemical dependency (CD) and sex offender treatment, social support programming, mental health interventions, domestic violence programming, and prisoner re-entry programs. In addition to reviewing the evidence on the effects of these interventions on pre- and post-release outcomes, this paper identifies several broad conclusions that can be drawn about the effectiveness of institutional programming, discusses gaps in the literature, and proposes a number of directions for future research. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. National Institute of Justice, 2017. 41p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 1, 2017 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/250476.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/250476.pdf Shelf Number: 147487 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsInmatesPrisonersRehabilitation |
Author: Messina, N. Title: Enhancing Prison Treatment for Women Offenders: An In-Depth follow-Up Study Summary: UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs (ISAP) conducted a two-year pilot study to test the efficacy of a drug abuse treatment program designed for drugdependent women in prison. Specifically, the study examined the relative effectiveness of a "relational-based," multifaceted program called Women's Integrated Treatment (WIT) compared to a standard prison therapeutic community (TC) treatment program. Relational-based programs emphasize the important role of relationships and intimate partners in women's addiction and recovery. The WIT program is a multi-faceted curriculum organized into four modules: 1) self module, 2) relationship module, 3) sexuality module, and 4) spirituality module. A trauma-informed curriculum was also delivered in conjunction with these modules. Other WIT program elements concern, for example, parenting techniques, child custody issues, grief and loss, and decision-making skills. The comparison TC program is comprised of an array of services, including, for instance, individual and group counseling, 12-step meetings, recreational and mutual self-help group discussions, and anger management training. Both programs offer 6 months of aftercare treatment in the community. Although the WIT curriculum has been fully developed (Covington, 1999, 2003), this study is the first empirical test of the curriculum. The pilot study involved the expertise of the Center for Gender and Justice; the cooperation of Valley State Prison for Women (VSPW) in Chowchilla, California; and the treatment experience of Walden House, Inc. - the prison treatment provider. An already existing program (i.e., Integrity) at VSPW was modified to incorporate the WIT curriculum and is thus the target program. The study used an experimental design with random assignment of participants to the two treatment conditions (Integrity vs. TC). A total of 115 participants were recruited, randomly assigned to either the Integrity or TC program, and interviewed at three time points: 1) program entry; 2) 6-months post parole; and 3) 12-months post parole. Data were collected from the participants at 6- and 12-month follow-up interviews, regardless of whether they completed the programs or not. Interviews at 6 months were conducted with 50 Integrity participants and 44 TC participants. Interviews were also conducted at 12 months with 44 Integrity participants and 41 TC participants. Details: Los Angeles: University of California Los Angeles, 2009. 23p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 21, 2017 at: http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/Adult_Research_Branch/Research_Documents/Enhanced_Treatment_Women_Offenders_March_2009.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/Adult_Research_Branch/Research_Documents/Enhanced_Treatment_Women_Offenders_March_2009.pdf Shelf Number: 146792 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsDrug Abuse TreatmentFemale InmatesFemale PrisonersSubstance Abuse Treatment |
Author: Kansas. Legislative Division of Post Audit Title: Larned State Hospital: Reviewing the Operations of the Sexual Predator Treatment Program, Part 2. Performance Audit Report Summary: The Sexual Predator Treatment Program was established in 1994 and has been provided primarily through the Larned State Hospital. The program provides control, care and treatment for convicted sex offenders who have completed their prison sentences but have been determined by a judge or jury to be sexually violent predators and involuntarily committed to the custody of the Secretary of Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. In 2005, Legislative Post Audit issued a report on the Sexual Predator Treatment Program. In that report, we estimated the size of the offender population could increase to about 235 offenders by 2015. The reasons for this included the continuing commitment of new offenders to the program and Kansas' stringent requirement that the risk of a reoffense be reduced to "practically nil" before an offender would be released from the program. The statutory standard focuses on community safety by requiring that in order for release the sexually violent predator's mental abnormality or personality disorder has so changed the person is safe to be at large. As of December 2014, the program had 243 residents, with 227 residents at Larned State Hospital, eight residents at Osawatomie State Hospital and eight at Parsons State Hospital. Agency officials estimate that in the coming years the program will grow by 18 offenders per year. Legislators have expressed concern about the growing size of the offender population, employee workload, and working conditions at the Larned facility. They would like to know how Kansas' program compares to other state programs in terms of cost and treatment, what actions could be taken to limit program growth, and whether the Larned facility is being adequately managed. This performance audit answers the following questions: 1. How does Kansas' Sexual Predator Treatment Program compare to similar programs in other states and best practices? 2. What actions could be taken to reduce the resident population of the Sexual Predator Treatment Program? Details: Topeka: Legislative Division of Post Audit, 2015. 70p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 28, 2017 at: https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/media/publications/Larned%20State%20Hospital%20-%20Reviewing%20the%20Operations%20of%20Sexual%20Predator%20Treatment%20Program%2C%20Part%202%2C%20LPA%2C%202015.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/media/publications/Larned%20State%20Hospital%20-%20Reviewing%20the%20Operations%20of%20Sexual%20Predator%20Treatment%20Program%2C%20Part%202%2C%20LPA%2C%202015.pdf Shelf Number: 146906 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsSex Offender TreatmentSex Offenders |
Author: Fourie, Mariette Emmerentia Title: South African female prisoners' experiences of the Sycamore Tree Project with strength-based activities Summary: The Sycamore Tree Project (STP) was originally developed by Prison Fellowship to assist prisoners to take responsibility for their crimes and to understand the meaning of constructs such as forgiveness, confession and repentance. For the purpose of this research, the STP was adapted to include strength-based activities. The aim of this study was therefore to explore and describe South African female prisoners' experiences of the STP with strength-based activities. An explorative and descriptive qualitative research design was applied. The participants were sampled through the use of a voluntary, purposive sampling technique and included 19 (n = 19) female offenders between 20 and 65 years of age. Data were collected through written narratives and the world cafe method and thematically analysed. The results identify two main themes from the narratives (experiences of the STP as a whole and experiences of the strength-based activities) and four main themes from the world cafe (experiences of STP with strength-based activities, new discoveries as a result of participation in the STP with strength-based activities, experiences of strength-based activities and recommendations regarding the STP with strength-based activities) Details: Potchefstroom, South Africa: North-West University, 2014. 169p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed August 28, 2017 at: http://dspace.nwu.ac.za/handle/10394/25363 Year: 2017 Country: South Africa URL: http://dspace.nwu.ac.za/handle/10394/25363 Shelf Number: 146921 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsFemale Inmates Female Offenders Female Prisoners Prisoner Rehabilitation |
Author: Aitken, Jonathan Title: What Happened to the Rehabilitation Revolution? How sentencers can revive it How it can be helped by a hung Parliament Summary: The Rehabilitation Revolution has been championed in one form or another by at least two former Home Secretaries, five past Secretaries of States for Justice and a previous Prime Minister. Yet for all the ministerial support for the basic thesis of offender rehabilitation the reality of this so-called revolution has been a disappointment. For more than a decade, informed opinion has broadly agreed that the rehabilitation of offenders needs to be at the heart of an effective criminal justice system. Embedding rehabilitation across the criminal justice system can provide the basis on which the root causes of offending can be tackled, helping to reduce the volume and severity of offending and ultimately improving lives and enabling a reduction in the size of the prison population. The paradox of this consensus is that successive governments have failed to live up to the bold policy statements which so many have promised in the area of rehabilitative criminal justice reform. There has been no shortage of fine words: from the Labour Government's White Paper A Five Year Strategy for Protecting the Public and Reducing Reoffending1 introduced in 2006 by Home Secretary Charles Clarke; through a compendium of speeches advocating offender rehabilitation from successive Conservative Justice Secretaries Kenneth Clarke (2010-12); Chris Grayling (2012-15); Michael Gove (2015-16) and Liz Truss (2016-17), to the speech given by David Cameron in February 2016. That was the first speech from a Prime Minister on prison and rehabilitative reform for some 20 years and yet there has been depressingly little in the way of tangible progress. Both the national reoffending rate and the size of the prison population have remained stubbornly high. While it is true that in recent years the custodial population has remained stable at just under 86,000, in April 2006 it was 77,000, and given recent increases it now approaches 90,000.2 This 12 percent rise has been accompanied by year-on-year falls in recorded crime. The prison estate itself has been changing - though arguably neither fast enough nor necessarily for the best. Her Majesty's 136 prisons have now fallen to 117:3 cutting costs, but at the risk of exacerbating overcrowding. The recently opened HMP Berwyn, near Wrexham in North Wales, will offer modern facilities for more than 2,100 prisoners when completed - but the location and larger size of the prison means prisoners will be more distant from their families. For many this will make them inaccessible to their families and prove detrimental to effective rehabilitation, as highlighted in Lord Farmer's recent and important review. In the prisons dangerous episodes have been getting worse. The latest statistics show that in the past year all records were broken in English and Welsh prisons by 40,161 selfharming incidents, 120 suicides, 224 other deaths in custody and 26,022 assaults of which 6,844 were on staff - 650 of them serious. So why have successive governments failed so consistently? Why has an apparent consensus stalled? It is worth recalling David Cameron's speech in 2016 on prison and criminal justice reform, with the major commitments made in that address having mostly already been trailed in the speeches of the then Justice Secretary Michael Gove and some of his predecessors: 1. Making sure that prisons are places of positivity and reform designed to maximise the chances of people going straight when they come out. 2. Addressing prisoners' illiteracy, addiction and mental health problems. 3. Revolutionising the prison education system. 4. Measuring the performance of individual prisons. 5. Giving prison governors new powers to set up therapeutic communities, drug free wings and abstinence-based treatment programmes that prisoners need. 6. Delivering Problem Solving Courts in England and Wales. 7. Helping prisoners to find work on release. 8. Delivering lower re-offending rates. Details: London: Centre for Social Justice, 2017. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 16, 2017 at: http://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/core/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/CSJJ5667-Rehab-Revolution-WEB.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/core/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/CSJJ5667-Rehab-Revolution-WEB.pdf Shelf Number: 147360 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsCriminal Justice ReformOffender RehabilitationPrison ReformPrisonsSentencingTreatment Programs |
Author: San Francisco. Office of the Controller. City Services Auditor Title: San Francisco County Jail Programs Survey: An analysis of survey responses from inmates participating in the Sheriff Department's in‐custody programs Summary: This report discusses the results of a survey that the City Performance Unit of the Controller's City Services Auditor (CSA) conducted with inmates participating in the following Sheriff in‐custody programs; - Community of Veterans Engaged in Recovery (COVER): This program is offered to male inmates in CJ #5. It offers employment training and connects participants with services offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs - Resolve to Stop the Violence (RSVP): This program is offered to male inmates in CJ #5 to reduce violent behaviors and recidivism related to violent crimes. - Roads to Recovery (ROADS): This program is offered to male inmates in CJ #5 and offers substance abuse prevention and treatment services. - Sisters in Sober Treatment Empowered in Recovery (SISTERS): This program is offered to female inmates in CJ #2 and includes counseling services related to trauma, domestic violence, and relapse prevention. The purpose of this survey was to seek feedback regarding the strengths and weaknesses of current programs to help the Sheriff's Department examine the effectiveness of the services they provide. The Sheriff's Department has limited information about program performance and would like to better understand how to optimally coordinate and deliver a system of programs for incarcerated individuals, with the ultimate goal of positively impacting inmate outcomes including recidivism. Details: San Francisco: Office of the Controller, 2015. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 23, 2017 at: http://sfcontroller.org/sites/default/files/FileCenter/Documents/6423-SF%20County%20Jail%20Programs%20Survey.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://sfcontroller.org/sites/default/files/FileCenter/Documents/6423-SF%20County%20Jail%20Programs%20Survey.pdf Shelf Number: 147430 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsFemale InmatesJail InmatesJail ProgramsJailsMilitary VeteransViolence PreventionViolent Offenders |
Author: Prendergast, Michael Title: Outcome Evaluation of the Forever Free Substance Abuse Treatment Program: One-Year Post-Release Outcomes Summary: This sstudy highlights the background, design and methods, and findings relating to the outcome evaluation of the Forever Free Program located at the California Institution for Women in Frontera. The Forever Free Substance Treatment Program is an intensive residential treatment program for women inmates with substance abuse problems followed by voluntary community residential treatment during parole. Study Goals - Contrast the 12-month post-release outcomes of Forever Free participants with those of the comparison group with regard to parole performance, drug use, employment, and psychological functioning. Examine differences between groups with regard to their relationships with their children following release to parole (custody status and parenting). Examine service needs during parole for both groups. Determine outcome predictors for the whole sample and for Forever Free participants (tested predictors included group status, age, ethnicity, primary drug problem, criminal history, psychological functioning, level of therapeutic alliance, treatment readiness, and locus of control). Details: Los Angeles: UCLA Drug Abuse Research Center, 2002. 68p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 26, 2017 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/199685.pdf Year: 2002 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/199685.pdf Shelf Number: 124286 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsDrug Treatment Programs Female Inmates Female Prisoners Substance Abuse Programs |
Author: Wilton, Geoff Title: The additive effects of women offenders' participation in multiple correctional interventions Summary: In the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), in addition to correctional programs, many other services and interventions are provided to women offenders to prepare them for release into the community and, ultimately, to reduce their risk to reoffend. Some of these services include employment and employability programs, educational programs, mental health programs and services, chaplaincy, prison visits, and social programs. While there is evidence suggesting that these types of interventions can have a positive impact on women's rehabilitation and reintegration, there is very little research that attempts to disentangle the relative contribution of participation in multiple interventions or services on women's outcomes. Since in CSC multiple correctional interventions and services are offered throughout the course of offenders' sentences, it is important to examine the extent to which these services provide "additive effects," that is, further improve the outcomes of offenders who participate in correctional programs. This study, therefore, determined the relative contribution of key services and interventions to rates of revocations of conditional release of federally sentenced women. All federally sentenced women admitted to the custody of CSC between September 2009 and August 2013 and released prior to April 13th, 2014 were included in the study (N = 918). The research design first controlled for differences between women offenders based on factors related to offending. Beginning with a control model subsequently applied to all analyses, interventions including CORCAN and CSC employment, education programs, vocational certificates, community employment centre services, prison visits, community correctional programs, and maintenance programs were added, first on their own, then all interventions significantly contributing to outcomes were added together in the final model. Previous research on federally sentenced men had found encouraging results with respect to CSC's overall approach to their rehabilitation. Likewise, this study on federally-sentenced women also found that the combination of services and interventions produced outcomes that significantly improved their chances of success on release. The most promising interventions were: (a) education programs, particularly those that enabled women to get close to obtaining a high school equivalent, (b) participation in community maintenance/booster sessions, and (c) having received at least one prison visit. When all the interventions were included in the model at the same time only prison visits and the number of education courses completed remained uniquely associated with reductions in the rates of revocations. Based on the results we can conclude that, in addition to correctional programs, other services offered to women offenders in CSC are associated with reduced revocations of conditional release even after controlling for risk factors associated with outcomes. This suggests that there are several methods by which CSC works to improve women's success on release in addition to offering correctional programs. Details: Ottawa: Correctional Service Canada, 2015. 41p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 9, 2017 at: http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/scc-csc/PS83-3-369-eng.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Canada URL: http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/scc-csc/PS83-3-369-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 148098 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsFemale InmatesFemale OffendersFemale PrisonersRecidivismRehabilitation Programs |
Author: Van Stelle, Kit R. Title: Outcome Evaluation of The Mental Illness-Chemical Abuse (MICA) Program: Summary of Seven Years of Program Participants, 1998-2004 Summary: This study presents an outcome evaluation of Wisconsin's Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) for male state prisoners project. Details: Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin, Population Health Institute, 2005. 138p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 1, 2017 at: https://uwphi.pophealth.wisc.edu/about/staff/van-stelle-kit/outcome-evaluation-of-the-mica-program-1998-2004.pdf Year: 2005 Country: United States URL: https://uwphi.pophealth.wisc.edu/about/staff/van-stelle-kit/outcome-evaluation-of-the-mica-program-1998-2004.pdf Shelf Number: 122475 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsDrug Offenders Male Prisoners Substance Abuse Treatment |
Author: MacDonald, Shanna Farrell Title: Women Offenders, Substance Use, and Behaviour Summary: About four-in-five women offenders in Canada have substance use problems, and recent evidence suggests that substance use is more important in understanding women's offending than it is in men's. However, little research has focused on the differences in substance use behaviours among women and their relationship to correctional outcomes. Considering that substance use variability has been shown to inform treatment success in the community, this study examined the relationships of both substance use severity and type of user with institutional and post-release behaviour. Participants were 962 women newly admitted to a federal women's institution from February 2010 to February 2014 who completed a computerized assessment of their substance use problems. Women were categorized both based on the severity of their substance use issue and on the type of substance that was most problematic for them (none, alcohol, drugs, or alcohol and drugs). Women in each category were contrasted in terms of their demographic and offence information, their substance use behaviours, their institutional adjustment (institutional offences and segregation placements), and their post-release outcomes. Both substance use severity and type of user were found to be associated with the women's offence, risk, and substance use characteristics. As severity increased, so did the proportion of women who had committed a violent index offence and who had served a previous federal sentence. Not surprisingly, severity of problem was also associated with a more extensive history of substance use, as well as use of a wider variety of drugs. In terms of type of substance user, women in the alcohol and drug group were more likely than those in the other groups to have been convicted of a violent offence or served a previous federal sentence and had more elevated risk. The breadth of the alcohol and drug users' substance use history was also more extensive. As well, both substance use severity and type of user were associated with institutional behaviour and post-release outcome. Women with more severe substance use problems and who had used drugs (either as their sole problematic substance or together with alcohol) were more likely to be found guilty of disciplinary offences, to be placed in segregation, and to be returned to custody after their release, even after accounting for possible covariates. Overall, results emphasized the importance of considering differences in substance use among women offenders. This finding, together with the prevalence of substance use problems among women, underscores the importance of interventions in this area. The Correctional Service of Canada offers women offenders correctional programs that address the problematic behaviours directly or indirectly linked to their crime - which may include substance use. The programs aim to help women understand the impact of problematic behaviours and to enhance their ability to live balanced and crime-free lives. Conforming to this principle, at CSC, women offenders participating in correctional program create individual self-management and healing plans focused on the behaviours they identify as problematic in their own lives and offence cycles, including substance use. Details: Ottawa: Correctional Service Canada, 2015. 34p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Report 2015 No. R-358: Accessed February 20, 2018 at: http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/scc-csc/PS83-3-358-eng.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Canada URL: http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/scc-csc/PS83-3-358-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 149189 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsDrug Abuse and AddictionDrug Abuse and CrimeDrug OffendersFemale OffendersGender-Specific ProgramsSubstance Abuse OffendersWomen Offenders |
Author: Great Britain. Ministry of Justice. Justice Data Lab Title: Justice Data Lab analysis: Reoffending behaviour after participation in the Clink Restaurant training programme Summary: The Clink Restaurant programme provides vocational training in catering, front of house and cleaning aiming to give prisoners skills and qualifications which will help them to secure employment on release, with the intention that this will reduce the rate of reoffending. This analysis of the Clink Restaurant training programme measured proven re-offences in a oneyear period for a 'treatment group' of 89 offenders who took part in the programme and for a much larger 'control group' of similar offenders who did not take part. These measurements were used to estimate the impact that the programme would be expected to have on the re-offending behaviour of any people who are similar to those in the analysis. The 89 people who were eligible to be included in the main analysis were from a group of 178 records submitted to the Justice Data Lab. The effects of the programme on those who were not analysed may be different to the effects on those who were. Details: London: Ministry of Justice, 2016. 14p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 13, 2018 at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/567041/clink-report-final.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/567041/clink-report-final.pdf Shelf Number: 149445 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsJob Training Recidivism Vocational Education and Training |
Author: Stewart, Lynn A. Title: Intellectual Deficits Among Incoming Federally-sentenced Men and Women Offenders: Prevalence, Profiles, Outcomes Summary: Intellectual deficits are impairments of mental abilities that affect adaptive functioning.This study estimated the prevalence of deficits as defined by IQ score among 4,396 men and 292 women offenders entering federal custody and examined the association between IQ and key offender characteristics and correctional outcomes. Results indicated that 2.8% of men scored below 70 IQ (the intellectually disabled range) on a standardized measure of intellectual functioning, rates that are roughly similar those in the Canadian population. A further 7.3% scored in the borderline range (70-79). Federally-sentenced women, however, were more likely to suffer low cognitive function than federal men. Almost 6% of incoming women have an IQ below 70 and 12.7 % score in the borderline range. Combined, these results indicate that twice as many women in CSC are within the intellectually impaired ranges than is found in the Canadian population. The results link lower IQ to lower educational achievement, unstable employment, substance abuse, and symptoms of ADHD. Offenders with lower IQ had higher overall criminal risk and criminogenic need ratings than those in the unimpaired groups. The ratings on the employment and education domain and community function domains showed the greatest difference between the higher and lower IQ groups for the men; the women, however, demonstrated higher need for lower functioning women on all domains. Lower IQ was associated with higher rates of admission to segregation and institutional charges. Analyses of the security incidents showed that while men with lower IQs were not more likely to be victims than those with higher IQ, for women, those with lower IQ were both more likely to be victims and instigators. The rate of program completions for lower IQ offenders is quite good at around 80%. Reflecting their higher risk and need ratings and more problematic institutional behaviour, men and women offenders with lower IQ spent more of their sentences incarcerated prior to release and were less likely be granted discretionary release. IQ was related to men's revocations even when age, risk and need levels, and substance abuse rating were considered. Revocation rates were low for all women, but the same pattern linking low IQ to revocations was found. Higher IQ was a protective factor for women; none of the women in the above average range returned to custody during the follow-up period. Men with lower IQs require assistance with educational and employment training and accessing community services to improve their reintegration potential while the lower functioning women require assistance with all aspects of their functioning. This is especially true for Aboriginal women whose rates of impairment were significantly higher than non-Aboriginal women. Content of CSC's correctional programs, and the pedagogical techniques applied, are consistent with what has been shown to be effective in special education programs. The targets of these programs, with their focus on self regulation skills, are appropriate to the needs of the offenders with lower IQ identified in this research. Details: Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada, 2015. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: 2015 No. R-367: Accessed April 5, 2018 at: http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/scc-csc/PS83-3-367-eng.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Canada URL: http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/scc-csc/PS83-3-367-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 149700 Keywords: Cognitive AbilitiesCorrectional ProgramsDisabilitiesFemale OffendersIntellectual DisabilitiesPrisoners |
Author: Bechtel, Kristin Title: Adherence to the Risk, Need and Fidelity Principles: Examining the Impact of Dosage in Correctional Programming Summary: Every single day in the United States, correctional agencies release individuals back into the community. Depending on the state, many of these individuals may be placed in halfway houses as a mechanism for transitioning the offender back into the community. There is no set model for halfway houses, and even within the same state or operated by the same provider, the programs and services, if available, will vary. Perhaps the only requirement that all halfway houses share focuses on public safety and adopting efforts to monitor and enforce community supervision conditions. Despite this common thread, the costs for treatment and programming are often limited and allocations for effective programming and interventions can be a challenge for community supervision. The current study examined the impact of dosage, use of modeling and role playing, application of core correctional practices, and targeting of criminogenic needs on a sample of 3281 Pennsylvania parolees who were directed to halfway houses following their release from prison. While this sample is unique and this group of offenders experienced high rates of recidivism, a few findings emerged that offers empirical support for dosage and criminogenic needs. In particular, adopting three to nine months of programming and targeting the strongest dynamic predictors (e.g., antisocial attitudes, antisocial peers, and antisocial personality) produced the greatest impact on recidivism. This study also offered insight into the common targets of community programming and supervision (e.g., employment, education, substance abuse) that are relevant stabilizing factors for offenders, but collectively were unable to produce the reductions in recidivism that were likely hoped for. The implications for the current research may offer more lessons learned for practitioners and policy makers about what practices to avoid rather than adopt, or more ideally, what efforts should take priority in order to improve offender outcomes. Details: Cincinnati: University of Cincinnati, 2016. 248p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 14, 2018 at: https://etd.ohiolink.edu/pg_10?0::NO:10:P10_ACCESSION_NUM:ucin1470044131 Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: https://etd.ohiolink.edu/pg_10?0::NO:10:P10_ACCESSION_NUM:ucin1470044131 Shelf Number: 150180 Keywords: Community Supervision Correctional ProgramsHalfway Houses Offender Rehabilitation Parolees |
Author: Ipsos MORI, Social Research Institute Title: Evaluation of prisoner learning: initial impacts and delivery Summary: Ipsos MORI, London Economics and Sheffield Hallam University were commissioned by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) 1 and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ)2 in March 2015 to undertake a process and impact evaluation of prisoner education. This included the impacts of prisoner education under Phase 3 (August 2009 - July 2012) and Phase 4 (introduced August 2012) of the Offender Learning and Skills Service (OLASS3 and OLASS4), as well as changes made to the service under OLASS4, encompassing: - new co-commissioning arrangements between the Skills Funding Agency (SFA)3 , Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS, formerly the National Offender Management Service (NOMS)) and prisons to facilitate greater local influence on learning; - modified governance structure, including the creation of Governance Boards covering regional Units of Procurement and the clustering of prisons within these areas, to oversee revised funding arrangements, build strategic partnerships, and facilitate more responsive commissioning; - new delivery arrangements, including a stronger emphasis on assessment of learning needs, an improved focus on vocational learning, and provision for learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities (LLDD); - the delivery of the National Careers Service in prisons; - the Virtual Campus (VC) - a secure internet-based platform to support prisoners to conduct online learning and job search; - the introduction of mandatory English and maths assessments from summer 2014 for newly received prisoners on entry into the system, and; - the introduction of student tuition fee loans for higher education (HE) after September 2012 and Advanced Learner Loans4 for further education (FE) courses at Level 3 and 4, for eligible prisoners aged 24 and over from 2013/14. Details: London: HM Prison & Probation Service, 2018. 114p.; 76p. Source: Internet Resource: Ministry of Justice Analytical Series: Accessed May 24, 2018 at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evaluation-of-prisoner-learning-initial-impacts-and-delivery Year: 2018 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evaluation-of-prisoner-learning-initial-impacts-and-delivery Shelf Number: 150353 Keywords: Correctional EducationCorrectional ProgramsPrisoner RehabilitationVocational Education and Training |
Author: Northern Ireland Criminal Justice Inspection Title: Resettlement: An Inspection of Resettlement in the Northern Ireland Prison Service Summary: A core function of the prison service was to reduce reoffending and provide resettlement services for prisoners being released back into the community. The Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) could not deliver resettlement alone - prisons had a duty to accept people committed by the courts and many had chronic mental health and learning difficulties, drug and alcohol addictions and chaotic lifestyles. The NIPS and the Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI) had to work with the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust (SEHSCT), addiction services and other social and voluntary and community service partners to help prisoners address these problems during the time they were incarcerated. There had been a significant change in the NIPS since the publication of the Prison Review Team (PRT) Report in 2011, including to resettlement practice. The offender management model was based on the PRT recommendation and was delivered through the Prisoner Development Model (PDM). This was a structured framework, and provided the individual prisoner focus, to identify and assess a prisoner's risks, needs and strengths. A Prisoner Development Plan (PDP) was developed with the prisoner to support his/ her resettlement back into the community. This defined the purpose of work, actions taken and support provided for an individual to: - reduce their risk of harm; - reduce their likelihood of reoffending; and - prepare them for return to the community. This work included interventions to address offending behaviour, maintain family contact, gain skills and qualifications to help access employment, together with practical assistance and support with housing, finance and debt, health and addictions. The PDM was jointly delivered by the NIPS and the PBNI. CJI would be very supportive of this collaborative working model as having the potential to produce the best outcomes for prisoners. However a change in working practices had reduced joint working and impacted on the operational delivery of the model, and Inspectors were concerned that it was not operating as effectively as it could. Working practices between the NIPS and the PBNI needed to adapt to address prisoner need and increase the effectiveness of joint delivery. There were significant resources deployed to provide resettlement services for prisoners. The PDM had been in place since 2015 and there was a broad provision of specialist support by voluntary and community sector (VCS) and statutory organisations to support prisoner need. The NIPS, PBNI and VCS staff worked hard to provide support, sometimes for very difficult prisoners, many of whom had complex and multiple needs. Inspectors were impressed by the attitude, knowledge and commitment of many of the prison and probation officers and VCS staff that we met during the inspection. There was an effective system to measure resettlement processes and activities, but measurement of the impact of these on outcomes for prisoners was less well developed. CJI saw a need for meaningful performance measures of outcomes, over the longer-term, to allow both the NIPS and the PBNI management to assess the effectiveness of resettlement provision, and to allow planning for future delivery and resourcing. Previous reports have highlighted the need for a more integrated psychology provision across the criminal justice agencies, and whilst work had been progressed there was a need for the outstanding work to be completed. The PDM was a comprehensive process which covered the prisoner's journey from committal to release, and recent prison inspections have found this to be the area where the NIPS performed most strongly. Inspectors would be of the view that implementation of the model could be improved in a number of areas and have recommended the introduction of a system of supervision for NIPS staff in their casework with individual prisoners. The NIPS also needed to do more to fully integrate the important role of residential officers to contribute to the PDM and successful prisoner resettlement. The NIPS recognised that there had been limitations in the prisoner assessment process and this had led to an internal review which Inspectors welcomed as an opportunity to reexamine its effectiveness. For prisoners to address their offending behaviour was crucial to successful resettlement and to reduce the reoffending and recall rate. Inspectors were concerned that the schedule for the delivery of programmes significantly underestimated the needs of the prison population and the demand for interventions. Programmes should be delivered on the basis of need with suitable interventions for short-term prisoners, a streamlined process for referral and assessment, and the ability to fast-track and prioritise prolific offenders. There was also a need to assess the outcomes of programme delivery to inform future provision. There was some good work to target and provide support for the wider needs of prisoners serving short-sentences and the NIPS should take action to target resources to reduce the reoffending rates for this group. The transfer of prisoners between Maghaberry and Magilligan could be disruptive and unsettling for prisoners and their families, and were primarily for population management rather than to further prisoners' resettlement prospects. It was the view of Inspectors that the NIPS should review its transfer policy to prioritise resettlement opportunities. Details: Belfast: Criminal Justice Inspection, 2018. 88p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 31, 2018 at: http://cjini.org/getattachment/1ded7a6c-034e-4a62-bf02-96ee30584645/picture.aspx Year: 2018 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://cjini.org/getattachment/1ded7a6c-034e-4a62-bf02-96ee30584645/picture.aspx Shelf Number: 150416 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsPrisoner ReentryPrisoner RehabilitationPrisoner ResettlementResettlement |
Author: Clinks Title: The good prison: Why voluntary sector coordination is essential Summary: Between September 2016 and October 2017 Clinks supported a voluntary sector member of staff in three prisons to implement a bespoke model of voluntary sector coordination reflective of the needs of each prison's population. The staff member acted as a single point of contact in each prison and undertook activities to: - Map existing services to improve access to them and identify gaps in provision - Ensure voluntary sector staff and volunteers understand the prison environment, population and regime adequately in order to deliver their services efficiently and safely - Enhance knowledge of and access to voluntary sector support amongst people in prison - Develop a strategic role for voluntary organisations working in prison. The project led to a number of positive outcomes for prisons and the voluntary sector. It has shown that a small investment in joined-up partnership work within a prison can have a significant impact. Our evaluation found that well co-ordinated voluntary sector activity can deliver the following outcomes. Details: London: Clinks, 2018. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 4, 2018 at: https://www.clinks.org/sites/default/files/clinks_good-prison_final-web.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.clinks.org/sites/default/files/clinks_good-prison_final-web.pdf Shelf Number: 150462 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsPrisoner Rehabilitation Voluntary and Community Organizations Volunteers |
Author: Shingler, Jo Title: The effectiveness of rehabilitative services for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people: a rapid evidence assessment Summary: To provide effective criminal justice services that respect diversity, it is vital to establish what evidence exists about how to achieve the best outcomes for people in prison or on probation, who are Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME). A rapid evidence assessment (REA) was conducted to explore the research evidence looking at the effectiveness of rehabilitative correctional interventions in reducing reoffending or substance misuse, among BAME people. In addition, the review also considered those factors that affect how people in these groups respond to these interventions, in custodial or community correctional settings. A previous internal literature review carried out by HM Prison and Probation Service (unpublished, 2012) revealed a lack of empirical evidence about the efficacy of rehabilitative interventions aimed at reducing reoffending, for people who are BAME. This REA updates that review, and expands its scope to explore the wider research literature on factors impacting BAME individuals' response to rehabilitative programmes aimed at reducing reoffending. REA methodology was employed to search a range of databases. The review focused on a range of populations both in prison and in the community. The target population included men, women, young adults (including those under the age of 18) and populations of any ethnic background or grouping. It is important to note that defining BAME in this way results in a large, indiscriminate and heterogeneous group, which makes it challenging to draw any meaningful conclusions about improving the responsivity of correctional programming. However, it was necessary to include the diverse population range given the lack of evidence about specific populations, and this highlights the need for much more and better quality research to achieve a more nuanced understanding of what works, with whom and under what conditions. Given the dearth of relevant and high-quality research into the effectiveness of rehabilitative correctional interventions among BAME people, this review included international literature, published in English. Comparability and generalisability of any non-UK studies was carefully considered and presented within the findings of the review. The search process yielded 3,101 studies, of which only 11 were of sufficient relevance and methodological rigour for inclusion. The type and quality of research design was varied. Of the 7 quantitative studies: 1 was a meta-analysis of high quality studies that used control and/or comparison group designs; 4 were randomised control trials; and 2 were studies that compared people from different ethnic groups on factors predicting different responses to treatment (treatment attrition and resistance to treatment). Four studies were qualitative in nature. Five studies were conducted in the UK and 6 were carried out in North America or Canada. The REA indicates there is still insufficient evidence relevant to understanding how to improve outcomes for individuals from a BAME background. However, the research reviewed points to some tentative but promising approaches for increasing the responsivity of correctional programmes to people who are BAME. First, the evidence suggests that the content of 'standard' correctional programmes can be experienced as relevant to BAME participants, and that BAME participants can benefit from such programmes. However, some studies suggest that treatment that is: culturally aware, sensitive and inclusive; that is delivered by culturally aware and sensitive staff; and delivered by staff from similar ethnic backgrounds to their clients is preferred, and is more likely to reduce the chances that potential BAME participants will experience any fear or resistance associated with feeling isolated or misunderstood. Second, there are some barriers to effective treatment for BAME clients that may interfere with them starting, completing or engaging in treatment. Such barriers could include experiences or fear of racism or discrimination, and the perception and possible reality that the intervention will not be culturally relevant. There is early evidence that a strong sense of cultural identity and pride is associated with greater reductions in substance misuse among juveniles. Explicitly recognising and encouraging cultural identity could be a promising approach to facilitating greater responsivity of correctional programmes for people who are BAME. The research is in its infancy, and further work is required to understand and draw firm conclusions about how to improve participation and engagement in, and retention and reoffending outcomes, of BAME individuals in prison and on probation. However, the research reviewed points to some promising approaches which could help achieve this aim: Efforts could be made to make correctional interventions more relevant to BAME groups. Work is needed to increase the number of BAME clients taking up interventions; increase the number of BAME staff members working within interventions; ensure treatment materials are relevant to BAME groups; and doing more to actively engage with and respect cultural experiences and differences. BAME clients need to be facilitated to express their cultural identity free from fear of being stereotyped or discriminated against. Results from the REA indicate that the idea that therapy, or 'treatment', is a predominantly white construct, in some cases with no cultural equivalent. The lack of understanding, recognition or acceptance of this amongst some cultural groups suggests further work is needed. This may usefully include engaging with and raising awareness among some BAME participants and their families about notions of treatment. Future research should aim to evaluate treatment effectiveness on large sub-groups of minority ethnic participants in both custodial and community settings. Alongside this, additional larger scale research to increase understanding about the barriers to interventions for BAME individuals in prison and on probation is necessary, in order to learn how to make correctional interventions more responsive and appealing to individuals from different ethnic groups. Details: London: HM Prison & Probation Service, 2018. 96p. Source: Internet Resource: Ministry of Justice Analytical Series: Accessed July 10, 2018 at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/721977/_the-effectiveness-of-rehabilitative-services-for-BAME.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/721977/_the-effectiveness-of-rehabilitative-services-for-BAME.pdf Shelf Number: 150795 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsEthnic MinoritiesOffender RehabilitationOffender Treatment |
Author: Cox, Scott L. Title: Living Shakespeare at the Lansing Correctional Facility, Kansas: Rehabilitation and Re-creation in Action Summary: Living Shakespeare is an all-male, all-inmate theatre program offered under the auspices of Arts in Prison at the Lansing Correctional Facility in Lansing, Kansas. It was founded by Scott L. Cox in September 2011 and has produced four full-length productions of Shakespearean plays to date. The program, inspired by Shakespeare Behind Bars at the Luther Luckett Correctional Center in LaGrange, Kentucky, operates under the belief that participation in a Shakespeare-based theatrical production program offers the inmates opportunities to develop skills necessary to their successful reintegration to society. This dissertation explores the first three years of the Living Shakespeare program with the aim of determining whether the program aids in the prison's stated goal: rehabilitation. The dissertation includes a brief historical account of the development of prison theatre, focusing on the use of Classical and Shakespearean drama with incarcerated populations, culminating in a case study of Shakespeare Behind Bars. The primary case study, which makes up the bulk of this dissertation, is of Living Shakespeare and its ensemble members. The author frames the study as Practice-as-Research (PAR), an approach to performance studies which values performance and theatrical practice as a valid research model. Knowledge is ascertained not solely through an account of the practice but by applying the methodology of ethnography. Observations of the process, field notes, conversations with the participants, questionnaires and interviews all figure into a qualitative analysis of the Living Shakespeare program. The author aims to demonstrate that a Shakespeare-centered theatre process provides the prisoners with the means of attaining twelve specific goals related to rehabilitation and offers rare opportunities for transcendence. Details: Lawrence, KS: University of Kansas, 2016. 316p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed March 12, 2019 at: https://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/handle/1808/21835 Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: https://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/handle/1808/21835 Shelf Number: 154899 Keywords: Arts in PrisonsArts ProgramsCorrectional ProgramsOffender RehabilitationTheatre Programs |
Author: Gardner, Amanda Title: Prison Arts Resource Project: An Annotated Bibliography Summary: The Prison Arts Resource Project (PARP) is an annotated bibliography of evidence-based studies evaluating the impact of arts programs in U.S. correctional settings. Each of the 48 entries includes information about the arts program as well as the study research goals, methods and a summary of findings. Adult offender and juvenile offender programs are identified. While not an exhaustive list, this collection of annotated impact studies represent publicly available evidence that can be accessed by individuals and organizations seeking to develop their own evaluation or research, or who are seeking evidence of impact for the purposes of program development and policy improvement. Details: Washington, DC: National Endowment for the Arts, 2014. 57p. Updated 2018) Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 12, 2019 at: https://www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/Research-Art-Works-Oregon-rev.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: https://www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/Research-Art-Works-Oregon-rev.pdf Shelf Number: 154900 Keywords: Arts in PrisonsArts ProgramsCorrectional ProgramsOffender Rehabilitation |
Author: California Lawyers for the Arts Title: Arts-In Corrections:: County Jails Project Summary: California Lawyers for the Arts became involved in advocacy to restore California's stellar Arts-in-Corrections programs in 2011, just as the US Supreme Court was requiring the state to reduce severe overcrowding in the state's prisons. In addition to having the nation's largest state prison population, California also claimed one of the highest recidivism rates in the country at nearly 70%. We worked actively with Dr. Larry Brewster of the University of San Francisco and the William James Association to conduct a collaborative demonstration project in several state prisons that involved pre and post surveys of the students. Based on the evidence we gathered at that time, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) was persuaded to provide the California Arts Council with a $2.5 million contract in 2014 for a two-year pilot project providing arts programs in up to 19 state prisons. CLA's Arts in Corrections Initiative, which has received major funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the California Arts Council, the Quentin Hancock Fund, the Wallace A. Gerbode Foundation and the Art for Justice Fund, brings a new level of awareness and appreciation for the value of effective arts programming in correctional facilities. The goal of this multi-year study is to measure the behavioral and attitudinal changes experienced by residents in county jails throughout California and the impact on their lives through self-reported surveys administered at the end of sequential art classes. A third year of support from the NEA Locals program is supporting outreach to additional counties in California and the development of a tool kit for national distribution. In collaboration with art organizations in Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Nevada, Sutter, and Yuba Counties, we evaluated the results of the 10 to 18-week art classes attended by a total of 119 men and women. At the end of each program, the participants completed surveys that were designed by Dr. Larry Brewster of the University of San Francisco School of Public Administration. The art classes were held in Santa Cruz Main Jail, San Francisco County Jail - San Bruno Complex, MCJ Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles, Fresno County Jail, Sacramento County Jail - Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center, Wayne Brown Correctional Facility in Nevada City, Sutter County Jail, and Yuba County Jail. The residents engaged in the arts reported a number of attitudinal and behavioral changes that can improve their lives. In addition to helping the inmates and their institutions, these benefits can extend to their families, their communities, and the society to which they return. Artists engaged in this work benefit from having socially meaningful work that connects them to larger public policy issues. Details: s.l.: The Program, 2018. 26p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 13, 2019 at: =https://www.calawyersforthearts.org/resources/Documents/cla.countyjailsprojectreport.revisedapril2018.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United States URL: https://www.calawyersforthearts.org/resources/Documents/cla.countyjailsprojectreport.revisedapril2018.pdf Shelf Number: 154933 Keywords: Arts in PrisonsArts ProgramsCorrectional ProgramsJailsOffender RehabilitationRehabilitation Programs |
Author: McHugh, Richard Title: Applied Performance Arts interventions within Justice Services: Moving 'Forward' Toward an Integrated Sustainable Evaluative Approach Summary: The work of Odd Arts focuses on engaging vulnerable groups in arts based programmes who may experience multiple forms of exclusion. This work is largely carried out with and within organisations associated with crime and criminal justice. Much of the work of Odd Arts utilises applied theatre and related performance and creative arts as a mechanism in exploring a range of issues relevant to the lives of beneficiaries. Odd Arts contracted the Manchester Centre for Youth Studies (Manchester Metropolitan University) to carry out a small scale study of the Forward programme within two criminal justice service settings. These two sites included a secure children's home and an adult supported housing project for ex-offenders. 1.2 Methodology -- The research required a multi-method approach, which consisted of the following four strands: i) literature review ii) interviews with young people who participated in the Forward programme within the youth secure estate iii) interviews with youth justice professionals who supported the interventions within the secure estate iv) interviews with adults living in supported accommodation for ex-offenders who participated in the Forward programme v) ethnographic observations of the Forward programme within one youth secure estate venue (secure children's home 1). 1.3 Literature review A literature review was conducted to provide a theoretical basis for the research and this assisted in the development of the research instruments used (interview schedules and ethnographic observation). The literature review examined English language literature published between 1994 and 2017, which focused on: applied theatre within the secure estate; forum theatre; applied arts provision within justice services. 1.4 Interviews - beneficiaries: young people The young people who were available to take part and chose to be involved in the follow up interviews (n. 9) presented a range of opinions about their experiences and perceptions of engaging with the Forward programme. Most prevalent amongst these opinions were themes including: - Appreciating the game elements of the programme - Having a sense of choice and agency within the programme - Opportunity to engage with a larger group of young people beyond the scope of everyday contacts It is important to note that all of the young people had some previous experience of engaging with Odd Arts interventions in some way. Likewise, it is noteworthy that in the follow up interviews, it was apparent that the young people had appeared, to varying degrees, to lose some enthusiasm for the programme. This latter point was a stark contrast to the observed levels of enthusiasm during the delivery of the intervention. 1.5 Interviews - beneficiaries: adult supported housing Interview responses from the adult service users living in the supported housing project closely aligned with those of the young people. Predominantly, respondents from the supported housing project described how they felt that the Forward programme had generally been a positive experience. However, more specifically, the participants described how the programme had significantly raised their confidence levels and provided a meaningful activity, which gave them something to look forward to. Moreover, the participants from the supported housing project explained that engaging in the Forward programme had provided a space in which the residents (who took part) could gain deeper mutual understanding, empathy and mutual peer support. 1.6 Interviews - practitioners: youth justice, resettlement and arts professionals Practitioner interviews yielded some similar themes to those of the beneficiaries. However, practitioners specifically referred to the Odd Arts approach as being unique and highly professional. Without exception supporting staff from within host organisations had complete confidence in Odd Arts and specifically the delivery staff. Additionally, supporting staff (as indicated earlier) were very keen to outline how they perceived huge value and potential in the idea of having an embedded and integrated planning and evaluation process which would be carried out collaboratively between Odd Arts and the host organisation(s). This, they felt, has the potential to further generate positive outcomes for beneficiaries in future interventions. Details: Manchester, UK: Manchester Centre for Youth Studies - Manchester Metropolitan University, 2018. 78p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed march 14, 2019 at: http://www.artsevidence.org.uk/media/uploads/180213-odd-arts-moving-forward.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.artsevidence.org.uk/media/uploads/180213-odd-arts-moving-forward.pdf Shelf Number: 154966 Keywords: Arts ProgramsAt-Risk YouthCorrectional ProgramsPrison ProgramsTheatre Programs |
Author: Bilby, Charlotte Title: Re-imagining futures: Exploring arts interventions and the process of desistance Summary: This report was commissioned by the Arts Alliance, the national body representing arts in criminal justice. Jointly funded by the Ministry of Justice and the Monument Trust, the Arts Alliance represents a growing network of over 470 arts practitioners and organisations working in prisons and the community to support men, women and young people to lead crime-free lives, through creative interventions. The coalition Government's Transforming Rehabilitation strategy and ongoing austerity measures mean rapid and complex change across the Criminal Justice System. This includes opening up the market, restructuring of the prison and probation service and the introduction of payment-by-results mechanisms to re-offending outcomes. The Transforming Rehabilitation agenda also includes acknowledgement of offenders' complex backgrounds and a call for increased development of offenders' vocational skills to enhance future employability alongside learning opportunities which address responsiveness and diversity issues (NOMS, 2012; MoJ, 2013). This landscape presents huge challenges and potential opportunities for innovative arts projects, which contribute towards the important 'intermediate' outcomes that enable individuals to make positive steps towards effective rehabilitation. This research, along with the growing body of evidence, suggests there are strong reasons to consider arts in criminal justice an area of considerable significance and innovation. Arts practice aims to bring about a positive affect experience in the participant (Parkes & Bilby, 2010). The affective experience, which can include a sense of community cohesion, that time is passing at a different pace, or an improved feeling of self-satisfaction and achievement, can be linked to desistance from crime. Desistance is the process by which people who have offended stop offending (primary desistance) and then take on a personal narrative (Maruna, 2001) that supports a continuing non-offending lifestyle (secondary desistance). Change is not a linear process; rather some will zigzag and will offend again on the journey to secondary desistance. In order for desistance from crime to take place, Giordano, Cernkovich and Rudolph (2002: 999-1002) suggest that there is a four-stage process which includes an openness to change; exposure and reaction to 'hooks' for change (or turning points); imagining and believing in a 'replacement self'; and a change in the way that offending and deviant behaviour is viewed. Maruna (2007: 652) notes that 'desistance is typically understood to be more than just an absence of crime. Desistance is the maintenance of crime-free behaviour and is an - active process in itself- it involves the pursuit of a positive life'. This research considers the possible relationships between the intricate process of abstaining from crime and the influence that taking part in some form of art-based enrichment activity might have on participants. Employing a qualitative methodology, the research addresses a number of questions linked to intermediate steps (or outcomes) in an individual's journey to desistance from crime. The research specifically explores how arts interventions contribute towards enabling people to form positive identities, build new narratives and build positive relationships with peers, staff and family. It also begins to investigate how arts interventions enable people to make significant behavioural changes. The latest National Offender Management Service (NOMS) Commissioning Intentions Document (October 2013) recognises the importance and complexity of these intermediate steps, which may lead to desistance from crime. The research team investigated five arts projects in four criminal justice settings, including practising visual arts in a high security adult male prison; music and deejaying skills with young offenders in the community; a music making project in a resettlement (open) prison and creative writing and bookbinding in a closed female prison. The research team spent at least four sessions with each of the projects observing the activities and interviewing participants, arts practitioners and prison staff as part of an in-depth qualitative methodology. The team also used participants' written work and evaluations, and examples of the work produced in the arts activities. This data was analysed using a thematic, content analysis approach. This piece of research demonstrates a clear link between taking part in arts-based activities and the movement towards secondary desistance. It identifies the importance of arts practice for the participants and shows what types of outcomes successful projects should be producing. The research also highlights the importance of collecting qualitative as well as quantitative data on arts projects and their participants when measuring these changes. Analysis of the data across all five projects produced the following key findings: - Participation in arts activities enables individuals to begin to redefine themselves, an important factor in desistance from crime. - Arts projects facilitate high levels of engagement. This is significant because many individuals in contact with the Criminal Justice System have struggled to engage with productive activities in the past. Participants must engage in order to be able to redefine themselves. Engagement in arts projects has also been shown to lead to greater participation in education and work-related activities. - Arts projects can have a positive impact on how people manage themselves during their sentence, particularly on their ability to cooperate with others - including other participants and staff. This correlates with increased self-control and better problem-solving skills. - Engagement with arts projects facilitates increased compliance with criminal justice orders and regimes. - Arts projects are responsive to participants' individual needs. Current policy documentation on commissioning services to meet offenders' needs highlights the importance of responsiveness in meeting diverse needs. The status of arts practitioners as professional artists is highly significant in the success of projects and their impact on participants. The value of this should not be underestimated by agencies of the Criminal Justice System when considering using external organisations. - Arts projects provide safe spaces for individuals to have positive experiences and begin to make individual choices. The findings from this research clearly indicate that arts projects can contribute to an individual's journey to desistance. The findings highlight key outcomes for participants and the importance of the relationships with project facilitators. There is now a need for longitudinal research, combining both qualitative and quantitative methods, to assess how far the findings presented here are sustained in the long term. Details: London: Arts Alliance, 2013. 66p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed march 25, 2019 at: http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/16846/1/Re-imagining_Futures_Research_Report_Final.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/16846/1/Re-imagining_Futures_Research_Report_Final.pdf Shelf Number: 155161 Keywords: Arts ProgramsCorrectional ProgramsDesistanceMusic TherapyMusical ProgramsOffender RehabilitationRecidivismRehabilitation ProgramsWriting Programs |
Author: Duwe, Grant Title: The Neglected "R" in the Risk-Needs-Responsivity Model: A New Approach for Assessing Responsivity to Correctional Interventions Summary: Prevailing correctional practice holds that offenders should be assigned to interventions on the basis of assessments for risk, needs, and responsivity. Assessments of responsivity, however, typically consist of little more than a checklist of items such as motivation, gender, language, or culture. We introduce a new actuarial approach for assessing responsivity, which focuses on predicting whether individuals will desist after participating in an intervention. We assess responsivity by using multiple classification methods and predictive performance metrics to analyze various approaches for prioritizing individuals for correctional interventions. The results suggest that adding an actuarial responsivity assessment to the existing risk and needs assessments would likely improve treatment assignments and further enhance the effectiveness of an effective intervention. We conclude by discussing the implications of more rigorous responsivity assessments for correctional research, policy and practice. Details: St. Paul: Minnesota Department of Corrections, 2019. 34p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 29, 2019 at; https://mn.gov/doc/assets/The%20Neglected%20%E2%80%9CR%E2%80%9D%20in%20the%20Risk-Needs-Responsivity%20Model_A%20New%20Approach%20for%20Assessing%20Responsivity%20to%20Correctional%20Interventions_tcm1089-370837.pdf Year: 2019 Country: United States URL: https://mn.gov/doc/assets/The%20Neglected%20%E2%80%9CR%E2%80%9D%20in%20the%20Risk-Needs-Responsivity%20Model_A%20New%20Approach%20for%20Assessing%20Responsivity%20to%20Correctional%20Interventions_tcm1089-370837.pdf Shelf Number: 155224 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsDesistance Prisoner Classification Recidivism Risk Assessment |
Author: Prisoners' Education Trust Title: Greenhouses not Warehouses: Commissioning Education to Plant Seeds of Hope and Opportunity Summary: Prisons are being given increasing flexibility and control over education budgets and the ability to commission a wide range of provision. Governor-led commissioning is an exciting opportunity to increase engagement of prisoners in education to achieve a whole-prison learning culture. The PLA has produced this workbook aimed at helping governors and managers plan and commission education. It includes a self-assessment tool and provides advice, case studies and additional resources around ten key aspects of commissioning. This timely resource sets out the crucial questions to be thinking about and suggestions for how to bring together the right people to answer them for your prison and population. Details: London, United Kingdom: Prisoner Learning Alliance and Prisoners' Education Trust, 2017. 43p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 31, 2019 at: https://www.prisonerseducation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/PLA-Greenhouses-not-warehouses-Workbook-web-version-1.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://ec.europa.eu/epale/mt/node/72547 Shelf Number: 156115 Keywords: Correctional Programs DesistanceEducation Program Incarceration Offender Rehabilitation Prison Programming PrisonersReoffending |