FIELD TESTING PRERELEASE CENTERS

• NCJ Number: 65542
• Journal: Corrections Today Volume: 42 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1980) Pages: 16,24-25,38,47
• Author(s): E W CARLSON
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: American Correctional Association
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program Description (Model)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

FIELD TESTING PROCEDURES FOR A MODEL PRERELEASE CENTER DESIGNED BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARE DESCRIBED.

Abstract

THREE SITES WILL RECEIVE PROGRAM GRANTS TO IMPLEMENT THE PRERELEASE CENTER DESIGN: THE BALTIMORE CITY JAIL WORK RELEASE PROGRAM, THE COMMUNITY RELEASE PROGRAM OF THE NEW ORLEANS PARISH CRIMINAL SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND THE PRERELEASE CENTER OF THE PHILADELPHIA PRISONS. THE GOAL OF THE FIELD TESTING IS TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A SET OF MODEL PROGRAM COMPONENTS FOR COUNTY-BASED PRERELEASE CENTERS. THE PREMISE OF THE TESTING OF A NEW MODEL FOR PRERELEASE CENTERS IS THAT CORRECTIONAL PLANNERS AND DECISIONMAKERS SHOULD BE CONCERNED WITH THE REINTEGRATION OF OFFENDERS INTO THE COMMUNITY, AND CURRENT PROGRAMS ARE NOT ADEQUATE IN THIS RESPECT. THE MODEL PROGRAM SHOULD FACILITATE THE COMMUNITY ADJUSTMENT AND REINTEGRATION OF PRISON AND JAIL INMATES WHOSE INCARCERATION HAS BROKEN THEIR COMMUNITY TIES. IT SHOULD SERVE AS A MEANS FOR THE RETENTION OF EXISTING COMMUNITY TIES FOR JAIL INMATES WHO HAVE NOT BEEN INCARCERATED FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, AND PROVIDE A COST-EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL METHODS OF RELEASE. THE SITES SELECTED FOR FIELD TESTING ARE REQUIRED TO INITIATE SERVICES OR UPGRADE EXISTING SERVICES TO MEET MODEL STANDARDS IN THE AREAS OF COMMUNITY-BASED WORK/EDUCATION RELEASE, CLIENT POPULATION, COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES, AND SUPERVISION WITH INCREASED FREEDOM. THE EVALUATION DESIGN FOR THE TESTING USES COMPARISON GROUPS, AND IT WILL DETERMINE IN-PROGRAM SUCCESS IN TERMS OF SUCH MEASURES AS DROP-OUT RATES, CHANGES IN SECURITY STATUS, NEW OFFENSES, AND TECHNICAL VIOLATIONS. PROGRAM SUCCESS WILL BE MEASURED IN TERMS OF RECIDIVISM AND QUALITY OF LIFE MEASURES. THE COSTS AND BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAM TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THE COMMUNITY WILL ALSO BE DETERMINED. PRELIMINARY DATA SHOULD BE AVAILABLE IN MAY OF 1980. (RCB)