NCJ Number
59695
Date Published
1977
Length
33 pages
Annotation
A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR PROBATION OFFICERS AND OTHER CORRECTIONAL PERSONNEL IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIF., IS DESCRIBED AND EVALUATED.
Abstract
IN ITS FIRST YEAR, THE PROGRAM CONCENTRATED ON TRAINING STAFF FROM THE COUNTY'S JUVENILE AND ADULT INSTITUTIONS, PROVIDING AN 80-HOUR COURSE COMPOSED OF A CORE CURRICULUM AND SPECIAL TRAINING IN 5 TASK AREAS (SECURITY, SAFETY, SELF-DEFENSE, NARCOTICS, COMMUNITY RESOURCES). THE PROGRAM PROVIDED 18,300 HOURS OF TRAINING AT A COST OF $15 PER HOUR. THE FIRST-YEAR REPORT OPENS WITH A REVIEW OF THE PROGRAM'S DEVELOPMENT, GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND EVALUATION DESIGN. DETAILS ARE PRESENTED OF EVALUATION FINDINGS ON THE IMPACT OF THE CORE CURRICULUM ON TRAINEE VALUES AND ROLE CONCEPTS, KNOWLEDGE GAINS AS A RESULT OF THE SPECIAL TASK TRAINING, PARTICIPANTS' ASSESSMENTS OF THE TRAINING, AND A 1-MONTH FOLLOWUP SURVEY OF TRAINEES AND THEIR SUPERVISORS. ADMINISTRATIVE STATISTICS (CLASS SIZES AND ATTENDANCE, AGENCY REPRESENTATION, TRAINEE CHARACTERISTICS, RELIEF COVERAGE FOR AGENCIES IN THE ABSENCE OF TRAINEES, ETC.) ARE PRESENTED. PROGRAM ACHIEVEMENTS ARE SUMMARIZED RELATIVE TO EIGHT OBJECTIVES: INCREASING TRAINING HOURS, REDUCING TURNOVER, INCREASING KNOWLEDGE BASE, DEVELOPING COOPERATIVE ATTITUDES, TRAINING AT LEAST 200 INDIVIDUALS, AND PROVIDING 80 HOURS OF TRAINING AND 80 HOURS OF FOLLOWUP. THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS ARE OFFERED: (1) RECRUIT TRAINEES FROM INSTITUTIONS THAT HAVE DEMONSTRATED A WILLINGNESS TO COOPERATE WITH THE TRAINING EFFORT, (2) READMINISTER THE FOLLOWUP QUESTIONNAIRE ON A YEARLY BASIS, (3) REEVALUATE THE ROLE CONCEPT TEST USED TO EVALUATE THE CORE CURRICULUM, AND (4) REEVALUATE ALL OTHER FORMS AND QUESTIONNAIRES. SUPPORTING DATA ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)