CORRECTIONAL EFFECTS OF CORRECTIONS - A SURVEY OF EVALUATIONS (FROM CORRECTIONS AND PUNISHMENT, 1977, BY DAVID F GREENBERG - SEE NCJ-46507)

• NCJ Number: 46512
• Author(s): D F GREENBERG
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 38 pages
• Corporate Author: Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Bibliography
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: AN EARLIER VERSION OF THIS SURVEY WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE COMMITTEE FOR THE STUDY OF INCARCERATION

Annotation

EVALUATIONS OF THE EXISTING ARRAY OF CORRECTIONAL DISPOSITIONS AND PROGRAMS ARE REVIEWED IN ORDER TO ASSESS THE DEGREE TO WHICH REHABILITATIVE GOALS ARE BEING ATTAINED.

Abstract

PROGRAM EVALUATIONS ARE REVIEWED UNDER THE FOLLOWING HEADINGS: EARLY DIVERSION, PROBATION INTENSITY, IMPRISONMENT, PROBATION WITH NONRESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS, PROGRAMS IN CONVENTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, UNCONVENTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, PAROLE, AND PROGRAMS AFTER RELEASE. PROGRAMS UNDER THESE HEADINGS ARE MEASURED BY WHETHER OR NOT THEY REDUCE RECIDIVISM AMONG PARTICIPATING CLIENTS. EVALUATIONS OF PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY ARE SELECTED FOR CONSIDERATION, WITH A CONSIDERED REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLING BEING REVIEWED UNDER EACH HEADING. FROM THE SURVEY IT IS CONCLUDED THAT MANY CORRECTIONAL DISPOSITIONS ARE FAILING TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM. WHILE IT IS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT MUCH OF WHAT IS DONE IN THE NAME OF REHABILITATION MAY SERVE SOME FUNCTIONS, THE PREVENTION OF RETURN TO CRIME IS NOT A CENTRAL ACHIEVEMENT. AN INTERPRETATION OF WHY THIS IS SO IS NOT ATTEMPTED IN THIS DISCUSSION. ALTHOUGH SOME FEW PROGRAMS ARE NOTED AS REASONABLY EFFECTIVE, IT IS HELD THAT MOST EVALUATIONS CREDITING REDUCED RECIDIVISM TO A PROGRAMS DO NOT TRACE THE FORTUNES OF THE CLIENT VERY FAR BEYOND TERMINATION FROM THE PROGRAM. THOSE THAT DO SO ARE CONSIDERED TO SHOW THE LIMITED EFFECTS OF BEHAVIORAL CHANGE WHEN EX-OFFENDERS SPEND TIME IN THEIR OLD SOCIAL WORLDS. AN EXTENSIVE LIST OF REFERENCES IS PROVIDED. (RCB)