NCJ Number
45019
Journal
OFFENDER REHABILITATION Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (FALL 1977) Pages: 31-38
Date Published
1977
Length
8 pages
Annotation
A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PERMIT CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS IN THE MARYLAND DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS TO COMBINE COUNSELING AND CASE-MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS WITH CUSTODY FUNCTIONS IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
AT THE TIME OF WRITING, 24 OFFICERS AND 3 SUPERVISORS WERE PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM. EACH OFFICER CARRIES A CASELOAD OF 7 TO 10 INMATES AND HAS PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR COUNSELING, PROGRAM PLANNING, AND CUSTODY FOR EACH INMATE. THE PROGRAM PLACES THE CORRECTIONAL OFFICER AT THE CENTER OF THE INMATE'S CORRECTIONAL PROGRAM, MAKING THE OFFICER RESPONSIBLE FOR ORGANIZING THE CONDITIONS THAT WILL PREPARE THE INMATE TO LIVE RESPONSIBLY IN SOCIETY. THE PROGRAM WAS BEGUN AFTER A TASK FORCE REVIEWED THE FIELD OF CORRECTIONS AND CONCLUDED THAT SUCH A ROLE COMBINATION FOR CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS HAD POTENTIAL FOR ALLEVIATING SEVERAL PROBLEMS, INCLUDING RECIDIVISM. A FOLLOWUP STUDY OF 70 INMATES PAROLED FROM THE PROGRAM FOR 2 YEARS OR LONGER REVEALED THAT 90 PERCENT WERE STILL FUNCTIONING IN SOCIETY, 7 PERCENT HAD BEEN RETURNED TO THE DIVISION AFTER BEING CONVICTED OF NEW CRIMES, AND 3 PERCENT HAD HAD THEIR PAROLES REVOKED. THE RATIONALE BEHIND THE PROGRAM AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM ARE DESCRIBED. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. (LKM)