NCJ Number
64847
Date Published
1977
Length
16 pages
Annotation
THE BOOKLET DISCUSSES DEFICIENCIES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESEARCH AND LISTS COMPLETED STUDIES, CURRENT PROJECTS, AND SERVICES OF THE CORRECTIONAL RESEARCH AND EVALUATION CENTER.
Abstract
THE LACK OF PROGRESS IN CORRECTIONS REFORM IS DIRECTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO A LACK OF MEANINGFUL RESEARCH. DEFINITIONS OF TERMS AND STATISTICS HAVE BEEN USED IN AN INCONSISTENT MANNER BY RESEARCHERS SO THAT MOST RESULTS ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO OTHER SITUATIONS. THUS, FEEDBACK HAS NOT BEEN AVAILABLE TO ENABLE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO CHANGE OR MODIFY PROGRAMS. CORRECTIONAL PROFESSIONALS NEED TO DEVELOP WORKABLE RESEARCH PROCEDURES USING SCIENTIFIC METHODS IN INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS COORDINATED WITH A CENTRALIZED FEDERAL DATA SYSTEM. THE CENTER HAS SUPERVISED OVER 40 PROJECTS BETWEEN 1975 AND 1977 ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS, INCLUDING WORK RELEASE, PENAL FARMS, PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING, DRUG OFFENDER REHABILITATION, AND RECIDIVISM. IT HAS ALSO MADE PRESENTATIONS TO PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND PUBLISHED IN PROFESSIONAL JOURNALS. CONSULTING SERVICES ARE OFFERED TO CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO ASSIST WITH EVALUATIONS, SEMINARS, DATA COLLECTION, AND OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES. EXAMPLES OF POSSIBLE RESEARCH PROJECTS ARE PROVIDED, SUCH AS A STUDY OF RECIDIVISM IN RELATION TO INSTITUTIONAL VARIABLES AND A STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ILLNESS WITHIN A PENAL INSTITUTION. (MJM)