NCJ Number
59534
Date Published
1977
Length
29 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT PRESENTS AN EVALUATION OF THE CORRECTIONS MENTAL HEALTH UNIT (CMHU) OF PIERCE COUNTY, WASH., A UNIT DEVELOPED TO WORK WITH CORRECTIONS OFFICERS IN PRESENTING EVALUATIONS AND CASE CONSULTATION/DISPOSITION.
Abstract
THE UNIT WAS ALSO ASKED TO DELIVER COUNSELING SERVICES TO OFFENDERS REQUIRING INTENSIVE THERAPY AND PROVIDE IN-SERVICE TRAINING TO CORRECTIONS OFFICERS. RESULTS OF THE EVALUATION SUGGEST THAT CMHU CLIENTS EXPERIENCE A POSITIVE CHANGE IN THEIR BEHAVIOR DURING TREATMENT BY THE UNIT AND THAT THEY DEMONSTRATE A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION OF CONTACTS WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. HOWEVER, THE NATIONAL RECIDIVISM RATES USED IN THE COMPARISON DO NOT CONSIDER THE UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS OF CMHU CLIENTS AND RESULTS SHOULD NOT BE HELD AS CONCLUSIVE. ADDITONAL ANALYSIS CONDUCTED TO CLARIFY THE RESULTS SHOWED THAT RECIDIVISM WAS RELATED TO A NUMBER OF TREATMENT VARIABLES. AS THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, AND SUPPORTIVE TREATMENT SESSIONS ENLARGED, AND AS THE INTENSITY OF THE TREATMENT INCREASED, RECIDIVISM DECREASED. A SURVEY OF PROBATION/PAROLE OFFICERS INDICATED THAT THE CMHU ENDEAVORS TO PROVIDE CASE CONSULTATION, PRESENTENCE EVALUATION, AND MEANS TO A MORE EFFECTIVE WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THESE OFFICERS WAS SUCCESSFUL. TABULAR DATA AND QUESTIONNAIRE SAMPLES ARE INCLUDED. (MJW)