NCJ Number
29801
Date Published
1975
Length
25 pages
Annotation
ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION OF THIS PROJECT DESIGNED TO SECURE THE SERVICES OF COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES TO SERVE AS ONE-TO-ONE COUNSELING VOLUNTEERS TO ASSIST THE STATE PROBATION STAFF IN SUPERVISING PROBATIONERS.
Abstract
THE EVALUATION STRATEGY CONSISTED OF CONSTRUCTING A STORY AROUND FOUR COMPONENETS OF THE PROJECT WHOSE INTERACTIONS FORMED DESCRIPTIVE EVENTS REFLECTING THE TOTAL PROJECT'S OUTCOME. THE FOUR COMPONENTS WHICH SERVED AS A FRAMEWORK FOR THIS INVESTIGATION WERE; MANAGEMENT, MAINTENANCE, PRODUCTION, AND PARTICIPANT OBSERVATIONS. EACH COMPONENT WAS IDENTIFIED AND DESCRIBED IN RELATION TO ISSUES AND ACTIVITIES. THE EVALUATOR COLLECTED AND ANALYZED AVAILABLE EVIDENCE ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROJECT, ALONG WITH ASKING SPECIFIC SUBJECTS WHO HAD A PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT WITH THE PROJECT TO VOLUNTEER PERCEPTIONS RELATING TO ITS EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS. EVALUATION FINDINGS SHOWED THAT THE PROJECT HAS HAD LITTLE IMPACT ON THE PROBATION OFFICER'S JOB, THAT MOST OF THE VOLUNTEERS' TIME HAD BEEN SPENT ON LOW-RISK CASES, AND THAT VOLUNTEER SERVICES COULD BE USED IN A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT ROLES, INSTEAD OF JUST IN ONE-TO-ONE COUNSELING. IN ADDITION, IT WAS FOUND THAT ALTHOUGH THE PROJECT DOES NOT MEET THE NEEDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, THE DEPARTMENT HAS CONTINUED TO SPONSOR IT, WITH A 40 PERCENT INCREASE IN BUDGET. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)