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SO YOU WANT TO START A COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS PROJECT - A PRIMER FOR DEVELOPING A COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS PROJECT

NCJ Number
27032
Author(s)
A PARKER; C MACDONALD; J FREIMUND; H BRADLEY; R GROSKIN
Date Published
1974
Length
97 pages
Annotation
BASED ON THE EXPERIENCES OF THE COMMUNITY INTEGRATION PROGRAM IN PENNSYLVANIA, THIS TEXT OFFERS SUGGESTIONS ON THE PRE-OPERATIONAL STRATEGIES, OPERATIONS, STAFF, AND ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS PROJECTS.
Abstract
THE COMMUNITY INTEGRATION PROJECT WAS DESIGNED TO DEMONSTRATE THAT OFFENDERS GIVEN ACCESS TO A NORMAL AND ACCEPTABLE LIFE-STYLE IN A CONTROLLED COMMUNITY SETTING WOULD HAVE GREATER REHABILITATION SUCCESS THAN INCARCERATED OFFENDERS. THIS PROJECT WAS FORCED OUT OF EXISTENCE, HOWEVER, DUE TO SEVERAL NEGATIVE FACTORS: INADEQUATE INITIAL PLANNING, PROBLEMS IN IMPLEMENTATION, TOO FEW ELIGIBLE OFFENDERS FOR CLIENTS, JUDICIAL RESTRICTIONS ON PROGRAM INTAKE, AND CITIZEN AND COMMUNITY REJECTION OF THE PROGRAM. THIS TEXT DRAWS ON THE LESSONS LEARNED AS A RESULT OF THIS PROJECT'S FAILURE, AND OFFERS GUIDELINES ON THE PROBLEM AREAS TO AVOID REPETITION OF MISTAKES. PRE-OPERATIONAL STRATEGIES ARE FIRST EXAMINED; SUCH TOPICS AS CLIENT SELECTION CRITERIA, GOAL DEFINITION, PROGRAM STRUCTURING, OBTAINING SUPPORT OF THE POWER STRUCTURE, PRECAUTIONS ABOUT PUBLICITY AND COMMUNITY ACCEPTANCE, AND SPONSORING AND FUNDING. OPERATION OF THE PROGRAM IS EXAMINED WITH RESPECT TO ADMINISTRATION, INTAKE, SERVICES, AND RESEARCH. FINALLY, THE ROLE AND REQUIREMENTS OF PROGRAM PERSONNEL ARE EXAMINED.