RECIDIVISM AND THE 'EFFECTIVENESS' OF PRISON AND PAROLE

• NCJ Number: 52461
• Journal: INTELLECT Volume: 105 Issue: 2385 Dated: (JUNE 1977) Pages: 424-426
• Author(s): C H LOGAN
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 3 pages
• Corporate Author: Soc for the Advancement of Education
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: ARTICLE BASED ON A STAFF REPORT TO THE CONNECTICUT COMMISSION ON PAROLE EVALUATION TECHNIQUES AND REHABILITATION, SEPTEMBER, 1975

Annotation

THE LIMITATIONS OF USING RECIDIVISM AS THE SOLE MEASURE FOR EVALUATING THE SUCCESS OF CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS ARE EXAMINED IN THIS ARTICLE.

Abstract

INDEPENDENT SURVEYS WHICH HAVE ATTEMPTED TO TEST THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS USING RECIDIVISM AS A MEASURE OF SUCCESS HAVE DETERMINED THAT NO ADEQUATE TEST EXISTS FOR DEMONSTRATING SUCH EFFECTIVENESS. SUCH INADEQUACY APPEARS TO BE INHERENT IN EVALUATIONS WHICH ATTEMPT TO RECONCILE THE DEMANDS OF SCIENTIFIC EMPIRICISM WITH THE MORAL, SOCIAL, AND LEGAL POLICIES WHICH COMPRISE THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. CONSIDERABLE DIFFICULTY IN EVALUATING PROGRAMS LIKELY STEMS FROM THE MULTIPLICITY OF APPARENTLY CONTRADICTORY GOALS WHICH EXIST CONCURRENTLY WITHIN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. WHILE THE MAJORITY OF THE STATED GOALS AND RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERN SOME ASPECT OF REHABILITATION, A SIGNIFICANT EMPHASIS IS GIVEN TO THE DETERRENT, RETRIBUTIVE, AND PUNITIVE ASPECTS OF PRISONS AND PAROLE AGENCIES. THE FOCUS ON RECIDIVISM AS AN INDICATOR FOR THE SUCCESS OF REHABILITATION PROMOTES ONE GOAL, AS MEASURED BY ONLY ONE CRITERION, AT THE EXPENSE OF ALTERNATIVE GOALS AND CRITERIA. THE IMPORTANCE GIVEN TO RECIDIVISM STATISTICS IS DEPENDENT UPON THE PRIORITY GIVEN TO REHABILITATION PER SE RELATIVE TO THE OTHER GOALS, AND TO OTHER MEANS OF VERIFICATION THAT ANY GOAL IS BEING MET. THE MYTH THAT PRISONS ARE 'SCHOOLS FOR CRIME' IS BELIEVED TO PERSIST BECAUSE OF ITS UTILITY FOR A VARIETY OF GROUPS WHICH CHALLENGE PRESENT METHODS OF PENOLOGY. THE DISPARATE MEANS OF INTERPRETING STATISTICAL DATA SERVE TO DEMONSTRATE THE VALIDITY OF ANY POSITION. THE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES OF USING STATISTICAL RESEARCH WHICH LACKS A VALID RELATION TO THE OBJECT UNDER STUDY ALSO APPEAR IN ATTEMPTS TO PREDICT WHICH OFFENDERS WILL RECIDIVATE. SUCH PREDICTIONS SEEM TO BE BASED ON THE IMMORAL PRECEPT THAT THE CONTINUATION OF INCARCERATION MAY BE VALID ON THE GROUNDS OF PREDICTED BEHAVIOR, EVEN THOUGH NO ARGUMENT CAN BE MADE FOR INITIALLY INCARCERATING THOSE WHO MAY COMMIT CRIMES. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ALL CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS MAKE SERIOUS EFFORTS AT IMPROVING THE SOPHISTICATION OF THEIR EVALUATION METHODS. EACH SYSTEM SHOULD THEN BE RESPONSIVE TO THE CRITICISM OF ITS OPERATIONS AND POLICIES. NOTES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)