NCJ Number
15660
Date Published
1973
Length
50 pages
Annotation
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA INMATE PROGRAM BEGUN IN 1969 WAS DESIGNED TO MEET THE PROBLEM OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY VIABILITY WHILE THE HUSBAND WAS INCARCERATED.
Abstract
THE BASIC OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM WERE TO INCREASE MARRIAGE STABILITY AND TO DECREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF THE HUSBAND'S RECIDIVISM THROUGH WEEKLY GROUP COUNSELING SESSIONS INVOLVING BOTH HUSBAND AND WIFE. THE EVALUATION METHODOLOGY EMPLOYED INVOLVED STRUCTURED INTERVIEWS WITH PERTINENT INDIVIDUALS, A REVIEW OF PROGRAM RECORDS, OBSERVATION OF A LIVE GROUP COUNSELING SESSION, AND THE COLLECTION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE FORMS USED. THE PROGRAM IS ASSESSED ON ITS OBJECTIVES, EFFORT, PROCESS, EFFECTS, ADEQUACY OF PROGRAM PERFORMANCE, AND COST EFFICIENCY. THE EVALUATION REVEALED THAT OVERALL THE FAMILY COUNSELING PROGRAM IS ACHIEVING SOME SUCCESS UNDER DIFFICULT CONDITIONS. HOWEVER, IF IT WAS INTENDED TO BE A REHABILITATIVE TECHNIQUE, THE LEVEL OF EFFORT EFFORT WAS INADEQUATE, THE TRUST NOT CONCENTRATED ENOUGH, AND THE GROUP COUNSELING MODEL QUESTIONABLE. IF IT WAS CONCEIVED AS A PALLIATIVE AND RIOT PREVENTION DEVICE, THE FUNDS WOULD BE MORE EFFECTIVELY SPENT ON AIR CONDITIONING THE DORMITORIES. IF IT WAS SEEN AS A REENTRY FACILITATOR TO THE COMMUNITY UPON RELEASE, THEN MORE CAREFUL PARTICIPANT SELECTION AND A SHIFT TO THE MINIMUM CUSTODY FACILITY IS INDICATED. IF IT WAS PLANNED AS A DEMONSTRATION PROJECT, MORE CAREFUL FORMATIVE AS WELL AS LONGITUDINAL EVALUATION IS CALLED FOR. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)