NCJ Number
28240
Date Published
1974
Length
89 pages
Annotation
THIS EVALUATION ASSESSED THE JOB PERFORMANCE AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT OF PERSONNEL COMPLETING THE TRAINING PROGRAMS, ASSESSED THE PRESENT COURSES, AND EVALUATED THE TRAINING SCHOOLS OPERATED BY THE DIVISION.
Abstract
THE PROJECT WAS ALSO CHARGED WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN IN HOUSE MONITORING AND EVALUATION SYSTEM FOR THE DIVISION TRAINING PROGRAMS. THE EVALUATION METHODS INCLUDED A MAIL QUESTIONNAIRE SENT TO PARTICIPANTS IN TRAINING PROGRAMS IN WHICH THEY ASSESSED THE TRAINING IMPACT; PERSONAL INTERVIEWS WITH PAST PARTICIPANTS; PRE- AND POST-TESTS ADMINISTERED TO PARTICIPANTS TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF LEARNING; ADMINISTRATION OF A POST-PROGRAM REACTION FORM TO COURSE PARTICIPANTS; ON-SITE MONITORING AND OBSERVATION OF FOUR COURSES; AND OBSERVATION OR TRAINING SESSIONS BY AN EXPERT IN THE CORRECTIONS FIELD. THE RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE TRAINING DOES NOT SEEM TO ASSIST THE CORRECTIONS OFFICERS IN ACHIEVING PROMOTIONS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE SYSTEM. HOWEVER, A VERY HIGH PERCENTAGE OF THE OFFICERS BELIEVE THE TRAINING PROVIDES THEM WITH SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE WHICH THEY HAVE USED TO IMPROVE JOB PERFORMANCE. TEST INSTRUMENTS INDICATED SIGNIFICANT LEARNINGS RESULTED FROM THREE OF THE FOUR STATE COURSES. THE THREE TRAINING SCHOOLS WERE GENERALLY FOUND TO BE ADEQUATE. A SUMMARY OF THE IN-HOUSE EVALUATION PROGRAM DEVELOPED BY THIS PROJECT IS PROVIDED. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENT OF THE NEW JERSEY TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR CORRECTIONAL PERSONNEL ARE ALSO INCLUDED.