NCJ Number
26193
Date Published
1974
Length
40 pages
Annotation
PROJECT BACKGROUND, ACTIVITIES, OBJECTIVES, AND PROJECT RESULTS ARE DESCRIBED IN THE ASSESSMENT OF THIS PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES COUNSELING, SOCIAL, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES TO THE LACKAWANA COUNTY PRISON.
Abstract
THIS PROJECT HAD AMBITIOUS GOALS IN FOUR AREAS: DIRECT SERVICE TO INMATES, TRAINING OF CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS, COMMUNITY RELATIONS EFFORTS, AND MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE IN POLICY PLANNING. THE EVALUATION OF THE CLINIC WAS UNDERTAKEN IN TWO PARTS: MEASUREMENT OF GOAL ACHIEVEMENT AND PROGRAM IMPACT. EVALUATION ACTIVITIES CONSISTED OF MONTHLY SITE VISITS, AND INTERVIEWS WITH THE WARDEN, GUARDS, COUNSELORS, INMATES, AND OTHER PERSONS FAMILIAR WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. A CORRECTIONAL STAFF QUESTIONNAIRE, REVIEW OF CLINIC RECORDS, AND AN EXAMINATION OF REINCARCERATION RATES OF INMATES WERE ALSO USED. THE GOALS OF THE PROJECT WERE FELT TO BE UNREALISTICALLY BROAD. THE PROJECT RESULTS INDICATED THAT THE DIRECT SERVICE COMPONENT OF THE CLINIC WAS WELL CARRIED OUT AND GENERALLY WELL RECEIVED. MODERATELY STRONG UNDERLYING SUPPORT FOR THE CLINIC WAS FOUND AMONG GUARDS AND PRISONERS. AN ANALYSIS OF CASE RECORDS SHOWED SOME LACK OF ATTENTION TO THE COMPLETENESS OF RECORDS. THE PROJECT FAILED TO MEET ITS GOAL OF CORRECTIONAL OFFICER TRAINING, BUT WAS SOMEWHAT MORE SUCCESSFUL IN THE AREA OF HUMAN RELATIONS. PROGRESS WAS UNEVEN IN TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO MANAGEMENT. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)