NCJ Number
129464
Date Published
1987
Length
88 pages
Annotation
A medium security prison providing specialized programming to male offenders with mental health and behavioral needs was examined in terms of its impact on inmates' adjustment following their transfer back to a correctional institution in Wisconsin.
Abstract
Information came from 111 inmates who had been referred to the Wisconsin Resource Center (WRC) starting in January 1984, had been in prison at least 3 months both before and after treatment at WRC, and had spent at least 1 month in the program. Results showed that inmates received fewer and less serious conduct reports after treatment, indicating improved behavioral adjustment upon return to a regular prison. WRC also had a positive impact on the inmates' ability to transfer to prisons of lower security. In addition, WRC treatment improved the mental health of about one-third of the men. Finally, property offenders, younger inmates, inmates relatively new to prison, and inmates without prior penal experience were more positively affected by WRC than were other inmates. Results indicated the desirability of considering inmate characteristics in making referral decisions and giving priority to those who may be more responsive to WRC treatment. Tables, footnotes, and appended definitions and additional tables