NCJ Number
72056
Date Published
1968
Length
69 pages
Annotation
This volume provides a narrative account of a study of correctional staff training in Illinois and summarizes the study's major findings and recommendations.
Abstract
Initiated on January 1, 1968, the study was funded by the Office of Law Enforcement Assistance. Study goals were to survey current staff training practices and needs and to survey appropriate resources for future programs. Additional goals were to design staff training programs appropriate for individual agencies and to stimulate conditions facilitating such training. Interim goals were to reach a representative sample of Illinois correctional personnel, to gain support for methods advocated, and to provide feedback to Illinois correctional personnel. Data were collected via interviews, a written questionnaire, a literature review, observations, and advice from resource persons and agencies. The project's problems included developing a specific study approach, obtaining access to Illinois correctional organizations, coping with the heterogeneity of Illinois correctional organizations, coping with the heterogeneity of Illinois institutions, dealing with the State's traditional emphasis on security and custodial functions, and developing ongoing implementation of programs. Individual correctional agencies' current staff training and proposed change are summarized. The proposed continuation grant is designed to stimulate Illinois correctional organizations toward a genuine acceptance of the training needs and methods for staff training. Legislative budgeting for training is needed. Use of new knowledge is hampered by defensiveness among correctional practitioners, the multiplicity of autonomous and semiautonomous agencies, and the State system's emphasis on security. Employment of new professional and projects such as the present study may help overcome these difficulties. For Vol. 2, see NCJ 72051.