NCJ Number
16446
Date Published
1975
Length
217 pages
Annotation
DESCRIPTION AND EVALUATION OF THE OHIO PAROLE OFFICER AIDE PROGRAM WHICH USES EX-OFFENDERS AS PARAPROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELD OF CORRECTIONS.
Abstract
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE USE OF PARAPROFESSIONALS IN THE HELPING SERVICES IS REVIEWED. THE PAROLE OFFICER AIDE PROGRAM AND THE METHODOLOGY USED IN EVALUATING IT ARE THEN DESCRIBED. EX-OFFENDERS ARE SELECTED FOR THE PROGRAM ON THE BASIS OF SUCCESSFUL PAROLE COMPLETION, PAST BEHAVIOR, AND PERSONAL CAPABILITIES. THE AIDES PERFORM TASKS SIMILAR TO THOSE OF A PAROLE OFFICER AND MAINTAIN CASELOADS OF THIRTY PAROLEES. THE EVALUATION MADE USE OF AN ATTITUDINAL QUESTIONNAIRE, IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWS WITH AIDES, AND DATA GATHERED BY STUDENTS WHO WORKED WITH PAROLE OFFICERS AND AIDES. AN ANALYSIS OF THE PROGRAM EVALUATION AND ITS RESULTS IS PROVIDED. AS PART OF THE EVALUATION PROCESS, A NATIONAL SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED BY THE RESEARCHERS TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER OR NOT SIMILAR PROGRAMS USING EX-OFFENDERS ARE BEING CONSIDERED OR IMPLEMENTED BY OTHER CORRECTION DEPARTMENTS. THE FINDINGS OF THIS SURVEY ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)