NCJ Number
59694
Date Published
1978
Length
35 pages
Annotation
THE ACTIVITIES OF A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR PROBATION OFFICERS AND OTHER CORRECTIONAL PERSONNEL IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIF., ARE DESCRIBED AND EVALUATED.
Abstract
THE PROGRAM PROVIDES BASIC AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT TRAINING COURSES, MANAGEMENT TRAINING, AND SPECIAL CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS. PROGRAM STAFF ALSO PROVIDE RELIEF COVERAGE FOR AGENCIES THAT SEND PERSONNEL TO PARTICIPATE IN TRAINING COURSES. TEST SCORES BY CORE TRAINING PARTICIPANTS DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD WERE SOMEWHAT LOWER THAN THOSE OF EARLIER PARTICIPANTS, POSSIBLY BECAUSE OF DIFFERENCES IN EDUCATIONAL AND WORK BACKGROUNDS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE PROGRAM CONSIDER EITHER SCREENING POTENTIAL TRAINEES OR ALTERING ITS APPROACH AND/OR COURSE CONTENT WHEN CLASSES CONTAIN A LARGE NUMBER OF INEXPERIENCED EMPLOYEES. AN INSTRUMENT CALLED THE MOOS CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS ENVIRONMENT SCALE WAS USED TO MEASURE THE IMPACT OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM ON CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION STAFF. THE RESULTS SUGGESTED THAT THE INSTRUMENT WAS MORE LIKELY TO REFLECT THE INFLUENCES OF INTERNAL STAFFING AND ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES, AND IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE MOSS INSTRUMENT'S USE AS A MEASURE OF TRAINING IMPACT BE DISCONTINUED. IN ADDITION TO DETAILS AND DATA ON TRAINEE TEST PERFORMANCE AND PROGRAM IMPACT EVALUATION, THE REPORT INCLUDES A LIST OF CLASSES OFFERED BY THE PROGRAM DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD, THE RESULTS OF TRAINEE EVALUATIONS, AND ADMINISTRATIVE STATISTICS (NUMBER OF PEOPLE TRAINED, AVERAGE NUMBER OF TRAINING HOURS PER PERSON, ETC.). (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)