NCJ Number
44290
Date Published
1977
Length
21 pages
Annotation
A TRAINING AND COMMUNITY WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM FOR PRERELEASE INMATES AND PAROLEES AT THE CONCORD FACILITY OF THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION IS EVALUATED.
Abstract
THE SUPPORTED WORK PROGRAM WAS DESIGNED TO EQUIP THE MARGINALLY EMPLOYABLE OFFENDER OR EX-OFFENDER WITH THE SKILLS AND ATTITUDES NEEDED TO OBTAIN AND HOLD A JOB. THE PROGRAM SUBCONTRACTS WITH SELF-SUPPORTING BUSINESS VENTURES, WHICH TRAIN CLIENTS AND ENABLE THEM TO WORK FOR WAGES. FOUR ENTERPRISES SERVED AS TRAINING SITES FOR 53 CORRECTIONAL CLIENTS. THE CLIENTS WERE PROVIDED EXPERIENCE IN EITHER PAINT DELEADING, BUILDING REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE, OR GRAPHIC ARTS. OF THE 36 INDIVIDUALS WHOSE PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM WAS TERMINATED, 8 FOUND OTHER JOBS OR DECIDED TO PURSUE AN EDUCATION; 17 WERE EITHER FIRED, REARRESTED, OR RETURNED TO CUSTODY; AND 11 EITHER MOVED, RESIGNED DUE TO HEALTH FACTORS, OR BECAME DISSATISFIED WITH THE PROGRAM. NEARLY 42 PERCENT OF THE PROGRAM CLIENTS WERE EMPLOYED FOR 1 MONTH OR LESS; 25 PERCENT REMAINED EMPLOYED FOR 5 MONTHS OR LONGER. IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS ARE DISCUSSED. THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE PROGRAM IS NOT BEING IMPLEMENTED AS ORIGINALLY CONCEIVED IS RAISED. NO CONCLUSIONS ARE DRAWN WITH REGARD TO THE SHORT-TERM OR LONG-RANGE IMPACT OF THE PROGRAM. SUPPORTING DATA ARE INCLUDED.