NCJ Number
59938
Journal
Canadian Criminology Forum Volume: 1, INTRODUCTORY ISSUE Dated: (SPRING 1979) Pages: 32-38
Date Published
1979
Length
7 pages
Annotation
METHODOLOGICAL SHORTCOMINGS OF EVALUATIVE RESEARCH IN CORRECTIONS WHICH PRECLUDE THE CONCLUSION THAT 'NOTHING WORKS' IN REHABILITATION ARE IDENTIFIED, WITH JUVENILE DIVERSION PROGRAMS A CASE IN POINT.
Abstract
THE EVOLUTION OF THE NEGATIVE APPRAISAL OF REHABILITATION IS TRACED AND, WITH JUVENILE DIVERSION AS AN ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE, THE EVALUATIVE RESEARCH UNDERLYING THIS APPRAISAL IS DISCUSSED. THE BULK OF EVIDENCE IN THE STUDIES CITED DOES NOT FAVOR JUVENILE DIVERSION PROGRAMS OVER TRADITIONAL PROCESSING. HOWEVER, SOUND EVALUATION DESIGNS ARE THE EXCEPTION RATHER THAN THE RULE IN THESE STUDIES. METHODOLOGICAL INADEQUACIES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: (1) LACK OF THEORETICAL BASIS FOR PROGRAM RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES; (2) INADEQUATE MATCHING OF TREATMENT AND CONTROL GROUPS, OR ABSENCE OF CONTROLS; (3) LACK OF ASSESSMENTS OF ADMINISTRATIVE, ECONOMIC, AND SOCIAL CHANGES AFFECTING COMPARISONS OF GROUPS OVER TIME; (4) ATTRITION OF SUBJECTS, RESULTING IN NONREPRESENTATIVE SAMPLES; (5) NONRANDOM ASSIGNMENT TO CONDITIONS; (6) SHORT TREATMENT AND FOLLOWUP TIMES; (7) INADEQUATE DETAIL IN THE REPORTING OF DATA; AND (8) RELIANCE ON OUTCOME EVALUATIONS, WITH DISREGARD FOR EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY. A PARTICULAR PROBLEM IS THE NEAR EXCLUSIVE RELIANCE ON THE OUTCOME MEASURE OF RECIDIVISM, WHICH REFLECTS AN ALL-OR-NOTHING VIEW OF SUCCESS THAT IGNORES PROGRESS TOWARD INTERPERSONAL, FAMILIAL, EDUCATIONAL, OR VOCATIONAL GOALS. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT, BECAUSE THESE METHODOLOGICAL PROBLEMS PERVADE EVALUATIVE RESEARCH IN CORRECTIONS, POLICY DECISIONS BASED ON A NEGATIVE APPRAISAL OF REHABILITATION ARE UNJUSTIFIED. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED.--IN ENGLISH, WITH A SUMMARY IN FRENCH. (LKM)