NCJ Number
201847
Date Published
September 2002
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This document examines the Florida State Prison (FSP) pilot program Rethinking Personal Choice (RPC).
Abstract
The goal of the RPC program is to generate Close Management (CM) releases that function in open population without threatening the security of the institution or abusing the rights and privileges of others. Results were compared for the group of inmates impacted by the RPC program and those of a “like control group” (the cohort of CM inmates at FSP during the year prior to the implementation of the RPC program). The comparisons groups used were the respective cohort of CM inmates at FSP from September 1, 1999, through August 31, 2000, versus September 1, 2000, through August 31, 2001. Results show that the RPC program objective to increase the number of CM inmates released to open population was met to a very high degree. The objective to reduce the average duration of time inmates spend in CM prior to release to open population was met to a high degree. The objective to decrease the number of re-commitments to CM status was met to a very high degree. The objective to reduce the number and severity of disciplinary reports of CM 3 inmates while in the RPC program was met to a high degree. The objective to increase the ability of inmates to control their anger and aggressive behaviors in group and interpersonal situations as demonstrated by a reduction of disciplinary reports was also met to a very high degree. The objective to reduce positive drug test rates of CM program participants was met. The RPC program should be modified in order to provide programming to CM 1 and CM 2 inmates. Introducing the inmates at the CM 1 and CM 2 levels will better equip the inmates and the staff at the institution for placement to the CM 3 level and possible transfer to general population. It is concluded that the program is having positive results and can be very beneficial to the institutions and to the department as a whole. 8 tables