NCJ Number
230512
Date Published
November 2009
Length
322 pages
Annotation
This publication assesses how well the principles of effective intervention are being implemented across Pennsylvania State correctional institutions.
Abstract
While the program evaluation results identified many areas that need improvement across the system, there were also several recognized strengths that will help build capacity for effective programming and service delivery within the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PADOC) risk reduction and sex offense specific programming. This evaluation was intended to identify system-wide strengths and areas for improvement within the Thinking for a Change, Batterer's Intervention, Violence Prevention, and Sex Offender outpatient and therapeutic community programs. This assessment was intended to identify the effectiveness of each program at providing evidence-based services. This report begins with a brief review of the principles of effective intervention in order to provide some context and background. The findings of the assessments conducted on all of the aforementioned programs are then detailed, with a focus on identifying common strengths and areas that need improvement across all programs as well as systemic issues. Finally, recommendations to improve the effectiveness of services for offenders involved in the PADOC as a whole are provided. Data were collected by the University of Cincinnati, Center for Criminal Justice Research who was contracted to conduct a system-wide process evaluation of five treatment programs offered throughout the PADOC. Tables, figures, and appendixes