NCJ Number
143742
Journal
Forum on Corrections Research Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: May 1993 Pages: 32-34
Date Published
May 1993
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Probation services in the city of Manchester in the United Kingdom were evaluated with respect to their effectiveness, to determine what works in them and pass this information on to probation personnel and courts.
Abstract
The Probation Evaluation Project was a joint effort of the Greater Manchester Probation Service and the Department of Clinical Psychology at the University of Liverpool. The research used a variety of evaluation methods and criteria and took place between October 1991 and September 1992. The six programs chosen for the research included (1) an 8-week program for drunk drivers; (2) a program focusing on auto crime; (3) an offense-focused group program using a cognitive-behavioral crime; (4) a day center that included life skills and recreational activities as well as groups; (5) a Reasoning and Rehabilitation program following the manual designed by Ross, Fabiano, and Ross; and (6) a process-oriented therapeutic program aimed exclusively at female offenders. Results revealed generally positive short- term outcomes, with significant gains in self-esteem and reductions in numbers of perceived problems. The main problem was high attrition. However, the factors that major research reports have found to be important to positive outcome were operating in this local probation service. Footnotes