NCJ Number
79163
Journal
San Diego Law Review Volume: 14 Issue: 5 Dated: (July 1977) Pages: 1028-1038
Date Published
1977
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This examination of the changing philosophy of corrections and of data on predictors of recidivism concludes that psychologists working in the correctional system should shift their emphasis from institutional services to post-institutional or community services.
Abstract
Well-known research has brought into question the rehabilitative model's assumption that behavioral scientists can accurately predict an offender's dangerousness upon release and can provide effective treatment to those with recidivistic tendencies. As a result, a consensus is growing that the rehabilitative ideal should be replaced by the just deserts model. Under this model, treatment services should be provided to offenders only on a voluntary basis, and participation in rehabilitation programs should have no effect on release from prison. This philosophy would sharply limit the psychologist's role in correctional institutions. As a result, psychologists would have the opportunity to develop new, more effective, and more ethical roles in the correctional system. Empirical data are beginning to confirm the relationship between ex-offender employment and recidivism and suggest a future role for psychologists. Several studies indicate that steady job-holding is negatively related to the probability of criminal recidivism and that job placement and social support on the job may affect the perceived quality of employment, except for offenders using narcotics. These findings suggest that psychologists should direct their services primarily toward parole agencies rather than toward penal institutions. Psychologists could use their knowledge of social reinforcement theory and organizational behavior to design job-support programs to keep released offenders successfully employed. However, voluntary rehabilitative treatment should be continued in prisons. Footnotes are provided.