NCJ Number
9941
Date Published
1971
Length
4 pages
Annotation
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CORRECTIONAL INTERVENTION.
Abstract
ONE BASIC CRITERION USED IN EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CORRECTIONS IS THE TERMINATION OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. FOLLOW UP STUDIES ESTABLISHING THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF RECIDIVISM ARE THE INDICATORS IN THIS TYPE OF EVALUATION. AFTER NOTING THE FALLACIES IN THIS METHOD, THE AUTHOR DISCUSSES THEORETICAL MEASURES WHICH HAVE BEEN USED FOR ASSESSING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CORRECTIONS. 'FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF THE SOCIAL ACTION OF THE TOTAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, SYSTEMIC EVALUATION OF CORRECTIONAL MEASURES IS PROPOSED. THIS MEANS EVALUATING THESE MEASURES AS THEY RELATE TO THE OTHER METHODS OF CRIME CONTROL PUNITIVE SANCTIONS AND PROTECTION OF SOCIETY. OVER AND ABOVE THE SYSTEMIC EVALUATION, A BROADER EVALUATION OF CORRECTIONAL MEASURES IN TERMS OF THE CULTURAL SETTING, RESOURCES AND COST-BENEFITS AND STANDARDS FOR QUALITY PERFORMANCE IS CALLED FOR. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)