NCJ Number
53328
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 41 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1977) Pages: 31-36
Date Published
1977
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INSERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR COURT AND CORRECTIONS PERSONNEL IN COOK COUNTY, ILL., IS RECOUNTED.
Abstract
THE DISCUSSION TRACES THE COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE TRAINING AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT SECTION'S HISTORY FROM THE PROJECT'S INITIAL LEAA FUNDING THROUGH ITS INSTITUTIONALIZATION AS PART OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT. THE METHODS USED TO ASSESS TRAINING NEEDS AND TO DESIGN PROGRAMS AND CURRICULUMS ARE DESCRIBED, AND EXAMPLES OF COURSE OFFERINGS FOR PROBATION OFFICERS, JUVENILE DETENTION OFFICERS, CORRECTIONAL PERSONNEL, COURT CLERKS, SHERIFF'S COURT DEPUTIES, AND OTHER NONPOLICE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PERSONNEL ARE CITED. SPECIAL ATTENTION IS DIRECTED TO ORGANIZATIONAL AND OTHER FACTORS THAT PROVED IMPORTANT TO THE PROJECT'S SUCCESS. WHEN INITIAL FUNDING WAS OBTAINED FOR THE PROJECT, THE COOK COUNTY BOARD SUBCONTRACTED WITH CHICAGO'S CITY COLLEGES TO IMPLEMENT THE TRAINING, AND THE PROGRAM WAS SET UP AS A SEMIAUTONOMOUS UNIT WITHIN ONE OF THE CITY COLLEGE INSTITUTIONS. IMPORTANT MILESTONES IN THE EARLY STAGES OF PROJECT DEVELOPMENT WERE THE DECISIONS TO ADOPT A NINE-PART TRAINING ORGANIZATION/LEARNING OBJECTIVES MODEL AND TO HIRE FACULTY ON A PART-TIME, CONTRACTUAL BASIS. AFTER FEDERAL FUNDING EXPIRED, THE PROJECT WAS TRANSFERRED FROM CITY COLLEGES TO COUNTY GOVERNMENT, AND STEPS WERE TAKEN TO ADJUST TO THE REDUCTION IN FUNDING THAT ENSUED. GREATER EMPHASIS WAS PLACED ON SYSTEMWIDE (AS OPPOSED TO AGENCY-SPECIFIC) TRAINING, ON 'TRAINING OF TRAINERS' PROGRAMS, AND ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A TRAINING RESOURCE CENTER (LIBRARY, AUDIOVISUAL AIDS, ETC.). THE SUPPORT AGENCY ADMINISTRATORS AND SUPERVISORS, COMMITMENT TO THE CONCEPT OF STAFF DEVELOPMENT, AND EFFORTS TO RELATE TRAINING CONTENT TO JOB TASKS ARE AMONG THE FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE PROJECT'S SUCCESS.