Effects of Case Management on the Social Climate of a Correctional Institution (From Classification: Innovative Correctional Programs, P 29-33, 1988 -- See NCJ-115181)

• NCJ Number: 115186
• Author(s): W C Smith
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 5 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; Eastern Kentucky University; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This 1986 study attempted to correlate case management audits with the social climate of the Eastern Correctional Center, a closed-custody prison.

Abstract

Audits to evaluate the effectiveness of case management in the facility's five units included a review of case management plans and records, evaluation of case worker skills and knowledge, and assessment of inmates' awareness. A comparison of low and high functioning units found no significant differences in social climate as measured by the Correctional Institutions Environment Scale (Moos, 1970). Both had a generally positive social climate, and the nine climate subscales did not correlate significantly around the three principal dimensions of relationships, treatment, and system maintenance. Despite several methodological problems, such as instrument validity, case management scaling, and sampling sufficiency, findings have implications for correctional practice. Inmates generally were positive about their situation, suggesting that staff were doing a good job at making the climate positive. The very fact of auditing may signal administrative support for the case management system, and this may have contributed to an improved climate. 1 figure and 29 references. (Author abstract modified)