NCJ Number
47043
Date Published
1977
Length
65 pages
Annotation
THE FOUR COMPONENTS OF MICHIGAN'S CORRECTIONAL REFORM PROJECT -- IMPROVED CLASSIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS, BETTER PROBATION SERVICES, EXPANDED USE OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES, AND DUE PROCESS SAFEGUARDS -- ARE EVALUATED.
Abstract
THE FIRST GOAL, TO IMPROVE THE RELEVANCE OF PRISONER PROGRAM RECOMMENDATIONS AT TIME OF CLASSIFICATION, RESULTED IN A PERFORMANCE CONTRACT PROGRAM. UNDER THIS PROGRAM THE PRISONER PARTICIPATED IN SETTING SPECIFIC GUIDANCE AND TRAINING OBJECTIVES. 'CONTRACTS' WERE THEN MONITORED AND PAROLE WAS CONTINGENT UPON SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM COMPLETION. THE EXPANDING RESIDENT POPULATION OF THE STATE'S CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, TOGETHER WITH THE ADMINISTRATIVE DIFFICULTIES, THIS CAUSED LIMITED THE SCOPE OF PERFORMANCE CONTRACTING. AT THE END OF THE PROJECT YEAR (SEPTEMBER 1977) THE PROGRAM WAS REACHING LESS THAN HALF THOSE COMMITTED TO PRISON. HOWEVER, OF THE 5,877 TENTATIVE CONTRACTS ISSUED, 3,446 WERE FORMALIZED, AND 20 PERCENT OF THE FORMAL CONTRACTS WERE SUCCESSFULLY CARRIED OUT. MOST OF THE 1,356 UNSUCCESSFUL TERMINATIONS (39 PERCENT) WERE DUE TO BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS, NOT BREACH OF THERAPY OR EDUCATIONAL PROVISIONS. THE SECOND OBJECTIVE, UPGRADING THE TOTAL OPERATIONS OF THE BUREAU OF FIELD SERVICES, WHICH HANDLES PROBATIONS AND PAROLES, WAS COMPLETELY ACHIEVED. THIS PHASE OF THE PROGRAM INVOLVED HIRING ADDITIONAL MIDDLE MANAGEMENT STAFF AND A SENIOR PROGRAM PLANNER, IMPLEMENTING MAJOR ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES, IMPROVING ACCOUNTABILITY, AND PROVIDING BETTER SCREENING SERVICES FOR CLIENTS. THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES UNIT, WHICH WAS INSTITUTED TO PROVIDE A UNIFIED SYSTEM FOR BRINGING OFFENDERS AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES TOGETHER, BEGAN PUBLISHING A COMMUNITY RESOURCES BULLETIN, OBTAINED OFFICE OF MANPOWER GRANTS, ESTABLISHED AN EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY BOARD, DEVELOPED TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR CORRECTIONS PERSONNEL, AND UNDERTOOK A COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM. THIS COMPONENT IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL. THE DUE PROCESS COMPONENT UNDERTOOK STAFF TRAINING, REGULAR MONITORING OF HEARING PROCESSES, AND THE PUBLICATION OF A TRAINING MANUAL. THE NUMBER OF LAWSUITS CHALLENGING THE HEARING PROCESS AND THE NUMBER OF PRISONER COMPLAINTS WERE GREATLY REDUCED. CHARTS AND TABLES DETAIL THE EVALUATION DATA. LISTS OF ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAM ARE APPENDED. OTHER APPENDED MATERIAL INCLUDES: SAMPLE PAGES FROM THE DUE PROCESS MANUAL, A SAMPLE PERFORMANCE CONTRACT, AND SELECTED PROJECT-RELATED MATERIALS. (GLR)