NCJ Number
52654
Date Published
1978
Length
11 pages
Annotation
A PROGRAM OF BASIC AND CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR LOCAL-LEVEL CORRECTIONS PERSONNEL IN NEW HAMPSHIRE IS EVALUATED IN ITS EARLY STAGES.
Abstract
THE PROGRAM IS TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING COMPONENT: 80 HOURS OF PRESERVICE (BASIC) TRAINING AND 20 HOURS OF INSERVICE TRAINING FOR LINE OFFICERS; 20 HOURS OF MANAGEMENT TRAINING FOR ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL. AT THE TIME OF THE EVALUATION, THE PRESERVICE AND INSERVICE COURSES FOR LINE PERSONNEL HAD BEEN IMPLEMENTED, AND THE MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS WERE BEING PLANNED. THE BASIC PROGRAM PROVIDES NEW OFFICERS WITH CUSTODIAL AND REHABILITATIVE TRAINING. THE COURSE IS CONDUCTED OVER A 12-WEEK PERIOD IN WEEKLY 1-DAY SESSIONS, WITH OFFICERS TRAVELING TO A CENTRAL TRAINING SITE. INSERVICE COURSES, COVERING SUCH TOPICS AS INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION, DISORDER CONTROL, ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR, AND CORRECTIONAL LAW, ARE CONDUCTED IN 3-DAY SESSIONS BY A MOBILE TRAINING TEAM. THE MOBILE UNIT WILL ALSO CONDUCT MANAGEMENT TRAINING COURSES, WHILE REHABILITATON/TREATMENT TRAINING WILL DRAW ON COMMUNITY RESOURCES. THE EVALUATION IS BASED ON OBSERVATIONS OF TRAINING SESSIONS, TRAINEES' EVALUATIONS, AND REVIEWS OF PROJECT DOCUMENTS. THE PROJECT'S MAJOR PROBLEMS HAVE STEMMED FROM THE HIGH RATE OF TURNOVER AMONG LOCAL CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS, AND FROM STAFFING PROBLEMS THAT MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR SOME DEPARTMENTS TO FREE STAFF TIME FOR TRAINING ACTIVITIES. ATTENDANCE AT THE BASIC SESSIONS HAS BEEN GOOD, PARTICULARLY IN VIEW OF THE DISTANCES SOME OF THE TRAINEES MUST TRAVEL TO PARTICIPATE. STUDENT RESPONSE TO THE PROGRAMS HAS BEEN GENERALLY FAVORABLE, AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT HAS BEEN SATISFACTORY. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE PROGRAM, WHICH IS BEING DEVELOPED AND ADMINISTERED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES WITH LEAA FUNDING, BE CONTINUED.