IMPACT OF EVALUATION ON PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT - AN ANALYSIS OF THE MONITORING FUNCTION OF THE MINNESOTA OMBUDSMAN FOR CORRECTIONS

• NCJ Number: 54012
• Author(s): R K HALVORSON
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 19 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PRESENTED AT THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE EVALUATION, WASHINGTON, DC, FEBRUARY 1977 - PANEL 33 IMPROVING EVALUATING USE

Annotation

THE IMPACT OF THE MINNESOTA GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON CRIME PREVENTION AND CONTROL EVALUATION OF THE STATE OMBUDSMAN FOR CORRECTIONS OFFICE IS ASSESSED.

Abstract

THE EVALUATION WAS BASED ON A THEORETICAL MODEL OF THE OFFICE'S COMPLAINT-PROCESSING AND POLICY RECOMMENDATION ACTIVITIES AND RESULTED IN A REPORT THAT INCLUDED AN ANALYSIS OF THE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM (CLIENT CHARACTERISTICS, COMPLAINT DISPOSITION, ETC.) AND ASSESSMENTS OF THE PROGRAM'S INVESTIGATIVE ACTIVITIES AND EFFECT. THE EVALUATION REPORT PROVIDED THE OMBUDSMAN'S OFFICE WITH THE FIRST MEANINGFUL THEORETICAL MODEL OF ITS OPERATIONS, DEVELOPED A STANDARD BY WHICH THE OFFICE COULD ASSESS ITS EFFECTIVENESS IN INFLUENCING POLICY, AND SUGGESTED METHODS FOR IMPROVING COMMUNICATIONS WITH CLIENTS. TOGETHER WITH THE OMBUDSMAN'S OWN REPORTS, THE EVALUATION FIRMLY ESTABLISHED THE OMBUDSMAN AS A CORRECTIONS MONITOR IN MINNESOTA. THIS MONITORING FUNCTION IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE OF THE MYRIAD WAYS IN WHICH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, SUCH AS THOSE RECOMMENDED BY THE OMBUDSMAN, CAN BREAK DOWN. IT APPEARS THAT A MECHANISM SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED FOR MONITORING THE IMPACT OF EVALUATIONS. TOO OFTEN EVALUATION REPORTS ARE EITHER LOVED OR DESPISED TO DEATH, THE RESULT BEING THAT MANY USEFUL IDEAS ARE LOST IN THE BUREAUCRATIC SHUFFLE. A LIST OF FACTORS THAT CAN BLOCK IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW POLICIES AND PROCEDURES IS INCLUDED. (LKM)