NCJ Number
45481
Date Published
1976
Length
11 pages
Annotation
THE USE OF THE MANAGERIAL AND EVALUATIVE COMPONENTS OF OPERATIONS RESEARCH AND THE CLINICAL INTERVENTION TECHNIQUE OF BEHAVIORAL TRAINING IN A PROGRAM FOR DRINKERS IN WISCONSIN PRISONS IS DISCUSSED.
Abstract
OPERATIONS RESEARCH PROVIDES A METHOD FOR MONITORING THE DECISIONMAKING PROCESS AND THE DELIVERY OF SERVICES IN ORDER TO ENHANCE THE SERVICES AND TO ROUTINIZE THEIR EVALUATION. BEHAVIORAL TRAINING IS AN EDUCATIONAL APPROACH TO CLINICAL INTERVENTION WHICH SYSTEMATICALLY TRAINS PEOPLE TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMATIC SITUATIONS MORE COMPETENTLY. BEHAVIORAL TRAINING EMPLOYS MODELING, BEHAVIOR REHEARSAL, AND ROLE PLAY IN STRUCTURED INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP SETTINGS. BOTH OPERATIONS RESEARCH AND BEHAVIORAL TRAINING ARE EVALUATED BY THE CRITERION OF IMPROVED FUNCTIONING. BEHAVIORAL TRAINING FOCUSES ON INCREASING THE INTERPERSONAL COMPETENCY OF THE INDIVIDUAL, WHEREAS OPERATIONS RESEARCH ATTEMPTS TO ENHANCE ORGANIZATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY. THE WISCONSIN DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS USES THESE CONCEPTS IN ITS PROGRAM FOR PROBLEM DRINKERS BEING RELEASED TO PAROLE SUPERVISION. THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PREPARE PARTICIPANTS TO DEAL EFFECTIVELY WITH THEIR DRINKING PROBLEMS AND WITH OTHER PROBLEMS THEY WILL ENCOUNTER UPON RETURNING TO THE COMMUNITY. FOLLOWUP INFORMATION ON THE PARTICIPANTS IS USED TO ASSESS AND IMPROVE PROGRAM CONTENT AND DESIGN. OPERATIONS RESEARCH PLAYS A PART IN THE MEASUREMENT OF BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES AND IN THE ACCOUNTABILY AND ORGANIZATION OF THE PROJECT ITSELF. UNDER CONSIDERATION ARE PROGRAMS THAT WOULD COMBINE BEHAVIORAL TRAINING AND OPERATIONS RESEARCH PERSPECTIVES IN THE TREATMENT OF DELINQUENT ADOLESCENTS AND IN THE TRANSFER OF INCARCERATED OFFENDERS TO LESS SECURE CORRECTIONAL SETTINGS. (LKM)