NCJ Number
199627
Journal
Legal and Criminological Psychology Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2003 Pages: 115-127
Date Published
February 2003
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This article describes an integrated model for the evaluation of offender treatment programs in order to assess a broader range of impact than is typically measured.
Abstract
Most program evaluations focus on recidivism as the primary measure of treatment effectiveness. Although recidivism is a key factor in determining a program's impact, it should be considered in combination with other empirically related treatment and reintegration factors. This article proposes an integrated model of evaluation that focuses on the climate of program delivery, the program's cost-effectiveness, the program's integrity, and the treatment outcomes. The authors propose that the climate of delivery be evaluated through the use of organizational interviews of tutors, other prison staff, and treatment participants. Cost-effectiveness could be evaluated by measures of cost per program completion, the reconvictions prevented, recorded and unrecorded offenses prevented, and saving for the criminal justice system. The integrity of a program (audit data) could be determined through video monitoring reports; program products, such as post-program reports and inmate course work; and the implementation-quality rating. Treatment outcomes could be measured by both short-term and long-term effects. Short-term effects could include offenders' experiences of treatment, prison behavior, the clinical impact of treatment, treatment progress, and reintegration arrangements and support. Long-term impact could be measured with reconviction data, unofficial recidivism data, and post-release follow-up. 1 figure and 51 references