Generalized Model for Planning and Evaluating Programs for Female Offenders

• NCJ Number: 74814
• Author(s): T A Ryan
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 114 pages
• Grant Number(s): AU-4
• Sponsoring Agency: Federal Bureau of Prisons
• Corporate Author: University of South Carolina
• Sale Source: Eric Document Reproduction Service
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A generalized planning model designed to assist administrators and midmanagement personnel seeking to develop and maintain effective and efficient correctional programs for women offenders is described in detail.

Abstract

The model focuses on the rationale for specialized programs for women offenders, needs assessment, implementation, and evaluation. Stating a rationale for a plan is accomplished by performing four activities. These included defining basic concepts, justifying the need for planning, stating basic assumptions, and stating the program's intent or purpose. A well stated rationale serves as the foundation of the planning model. It assists in obtaining support for an innovative plan and allows each participant involved in implementation to share a common understanding of what is being done. The primary focus of an assessment of needs in a correctional organization is on the needs of the offender. Secondarily, the needs of the organization must be examined to provide a basis for planning. Offender needs will reflect problems such as inadequacies in areas of career development, mental health, family relationships, and economic independence of offenders. Assessed needs will provide the basis for developing and implementing goals. To implement the mission of achieving fully functioning women who are positive, productive citizens of society, there are product goals which must be accomplished in every agency or institution serving women offenders. Four such product goals include self-fulfillment, economic sufficiency, civic responsibility, and social responsibility. Evaluation of programs being implemented for women offenders is accomplished by an external evaluation, and internal evaluation, or a combination of the two. Formative evaluation is an ongoing, self-evaluative technique which should be utilized. Effective program appraisal includes both forms of evaluation and a report of the findings. The article contains approximately 50 references.