NCJ Number
61407
Date Published
1977
Length
40 pages
Annotation
FINDINGS FROM A STUDY FOCUSING ON ASSESSMENT OF THE ADULT CORRECTIONS SERVICES OFFERED IN THE STATE OF IOWA ARE PRESENTED; THE SERVICE POPULATION, SERVICES PROVIDED, AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE EMPHASIZED.
Abstract
DATA FOR THE STUDY WERE COLLECTED FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES INCLUDING AGENCIES, ATTORNEYS, CITIZENS, CENSUS DATA, AND PRACTITIONERS IN SOCIAL WORK. METHODS OF COLLECTION INCLUDED QUESTIONNAIRES, PERSONAL INTERVIEWS, AND GROUP MEETINGS. DATA WERE THEN COMPILED INTO EIGHT SERVICE AREA PROFILES, THE MAJOR SECTIONS OF WHICH WERE: GOAL, SERVICE AREA DESCRIPTION, PROBLEM DESCRIPTION, SERVICE POPULATION, SERVICES PROVIDED, AND UNMET NEEDS. RECOMMENDATIONS WERE DEVELOPED FROM THE UNMET NEEDS PORTION OF THE PROFILES. ADULT CORRECTIONS CONSISTS OF (1) DETENTION OF LAW VIOLATORS AND ALLEGED LAW VIOLATORS, (2) PRETRIAL INTERVENTION, AND, (3) TREATMENT DESIGNED FOR REHABILITATION AND SOCIAL REINTEGRATION OF VIOLATORS. SERVICE ELEMENTS INCLUDE PRETRIAL RELEASE, PROBATION, PAROLE, AND TRANSITIONAL CARE OF EX-OFFENDERS. IN IOWA, AS IN MANY PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONS IS BEING CONSIDERED AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO FAILING CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF HIGH RECIDIVISM RATES. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE PROVISION OF SERVICES NECESSARY TO ENCOURAGE RESUMPTION OF NORMAL ACTIVITIES CANNOT BE ACHIEVED BY ISOLATED PUNITIVE FACILITIES. DATA ANALYSIS REVEALS THAT ADULT CORRECTIONS PROBLEMS CAN BE CATEGORIZED INTO FOUR AREAS: LACK OF HOUSING POSSIBILITIES, INSUFFICIENT JOB PLACEMENT SERVICES, THE NEED FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING, AND THE INADEQUACY OF THE JAIL FACILITY IN JOHNSON COUNTY. IN ADDITION, MONEY MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE FOR EX-OFFENDERS SHOULD BE PROVIDED. SPECIALIZED EFFORTS BY SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES IN HOUSING, BUDGETING, AND SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE FOR MENTALLY RETARDED EX-OFFENDERS ARE ALSO NEEDED. FOOTNOTES, TABLES, AND AN APPENDIX ARE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT. (LWM)