NCJ Number
79856
Date Published
1981
Length
45 pages
Annotation
The effectiveness of delivering rehabilitation services to offender clients through an office dealing exclusively with offenders is compared with the effectiveness of delivering services in a mixed-client setting (mainstreaming).
Abstract
Until 1979, the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission offered services to offender clients through an office that dealt only with offender clients. Since 1979, that policy has been partially modified in favor of 'mainstreaming,' as some clients are served by generalist counselors in a mixed-client setting. This study examined rehabilitation rates under these two service delivery models. All new referrals to the area offices within the Boston Region of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission during the Federal fiscal years of 1978 and 1979 were the basis of the sample. Data were collected on 769 offender cases. Case folders were consulted for descriptive information on program participation. Three different rates of rehabilitation were used in the study: rehabilitations as a percent of all new referrals, rehabilitations as a percent of all closed cases, and rehabilitation as a percent of all cases closed after acceptance. Rehabilitation rates were compared across the 2 years as well as between the service delivery modes. In addition to measuring effectiveness by rehabilitation rates, salaries earned after rehabilitation and expenditures per client were also considered. Findings show that servicing offender clients in a specialist setting was more effective. Tabular data are provided.