NCJ Number
62995
Date Published
1978
Length
46 pages
Annotation
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE REPORTED FROM AN EVALUATION OF SOCIAL SERVICES OFFERED AT THE FOUR NEW JERSEY STATE PRISONS.
Abstract
IN 1972, THE NEW JERSEY STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT PLANNING AGENCY RECOGNIZED THE NEED FOR IMPROVING THE DIRECT TREATMENT SERVICES IN STATE PRISONS. AS A RESULT, TREATMENT TEAMS WERE ESTABLISHED IN THE FOUR ADULT CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES TO PERFORM THE FOLLOWING DUTIES: (1) INCREASE THE TYPES OF SERVICES OFFERED; (2) IMPROVE THE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM BY IDENTIFYING INMATES WHO HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS; (3) DEVELOP SPECIALIZED TREATMENT PLANS FOR THOSE JUST ENTERING THE PRISONS; AND (4) IMPROVE CLASSIFICATION AND PAROLE DECISIONS BY PREPARING EVALUATIVE INMATE PROGRESS REPORTS. BASED UPON DATA OBTAINED FROM THE INMATE CONTACT FORM, INFORMATION ON EACH INMATE RECEIVING SERVICES AND THE TYPE OF SERVICE PROVIDED WAS ANALYZED AND THE WORK OF THE TREATMENT TEAMS WAS EVALUATED. THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS ARE OFFERED: (1) THE SOCIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT SHOULD CONTINUE ITS EFFORT TO ACHIEVE RECOGNITION AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE; (2) DEPARTMENTAL MEETINGS SHOULD BE SCHEDULED REGULARLY; (3) A FORMAL, OBLIGATORY TRAINING PROGRAM SHOULD BE DEVELOPED; (4) A COMPREHENSIVE INTAKE ORIENTATION PROGRAM SHOULD BE DEVELOPED; (5) SOCIAL WORKERS SHOUD HAVE FIXED CASELOADS; (6) A STANDARDIZED INMATE CONTACT FORM SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED; (7) MORE EMPHASIS SHOULD BE PLACED ON PROVIDING FORMAL COUNSELING SERVICES; (8) SOCIAL WORKERS SHOULD CONTINUE TO DEVELOP INSTITUTIONAL AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES AS REFERRAL AGENTS; AND (9) A FULL-TIME SECRETARY SHOULD BE ASSIGNED TO EACH DEPARTMENT. THE APPENDIXES INCLUDE DRUG PROGRAM DESCRIPTION, AND A COPY OF THE DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT. (RCB)