NCJ Number
46986
Date Published
1975
Length
53 pages
Annotation
A NEW HAVEN, CONN., HALFWAY HOUSE FOR FORMER INMATES IS EVALUATED, WITH EMPHASIS ON REASONS BEHIND THE STATE'S DECISION NOT TO FUND THE PROGRAM AFTER ITS LEAA FUNDING EXPIRED.
Abstract
THE RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES CENTER (ROC) WAS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION AND WAS FUNDED BY LEAA FROM JULY 1970 THROUGH JUNE 1974. THE RECRUITMENT OF STAFF AND RESIDENTS FOR THE PROGRAM IS DESCRIBED, AND PROGRAM GOALS ARE COMPARED WITH PROGRAM OPERATIONS. THE EVALUATION OF PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS RELIES IN PART ON OBSERVATIONS BY PROGRAM STAFF AND PARTICIPANTS. THE ABSENCE OF A CLEAR, CONSISTENT PROGRAM FRAMEWORK, PROBLEMS OF STAFF TURNOVER, AND THE ABSENCE OF FOLLOWUP STUDIES OF PARTICIPANTS ARE NOTED. ANALYSIS OF DATA FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION'S COMPUTERIZED INFORMATION SYSTEM INDICATES THAT ONLY 21 PERCENT OF A 25-PERCENT RANDOM SAMPLE OF ROC 'GRADUATES' HAD REENTERED THE STATE'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AS OF JULY 25, 1975. THE ABSENCE OF A MEANINGFUL STANDARD OF COMPARISON FOR RECIDIVISM IS STRESSED. RECOMMENDATIONS POINT TO A NEED FOR A CLEARER DELINEATION OF AUTHORITY BETWEEN HALF-WAY HOUSE STAFF AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION, THE IMPORTANCE OF ESTABLISHING A GROUP PROCESS IN THE CONTEXT OF A THEORY OF INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION, AND THE NEED FOR FOLLOWUP STUDIES WITH APPROPRIATE CONTROL GROUPS. A BIBLIOGRAPHY AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION ARE PROVIDED. NO TABULAR DATA ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--LKM)