NCJ Number
59261
Date Published
1979
Length
132 pages
Annotation
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE TRANSITIONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM (TEOP) OF NEW MEXICO, A PROGRAM FOCUSING ON THE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING NEEDS OF PAROLEES AND PROBATIONERS, IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
IN 1975 LEAA AND THE CORRECTIONS DIVISION OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO BEGAN FUNDING TEOP TO PROVIDE VOCATIONAL ON-THE-JOB TRAINING FOR JUVENILE PAROLEES. BY 1976 THE PROGRAM WAS REVISED TO INCLUDE YOUNG ADULT PAROLEES BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18 AND 25. YOUNG ADULT PROBATIONERS WERE INCLUDED AS OF APRIL 1977. PARTICIPANTS ARE SELECTED ON THE BASIS OF AGE (16 TO 26 YEARS), LOW JOB SKILL LEVEL, AND DESIRE TO LEARN A TRADE. APPROXIMATELY 30 CLIENTS ARE SERVED EACH YEAR. PAROLE OFFICERS RECRUIT EMPLOYERS TO TRAIN CLIENTS IN BASIC JOB SKILLS. THE DEPARTMENT PAYS THE CLIENT'S SALARY DURING THE TRAINING PERIOD AND A MONTHLY STIPEND TO THE EMPLOYER IF REQUIRED. FOR THE EVALUATION, DATA WERE COLLECTED FROM CENTRAL FILES ON PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. IN ADDITION, A SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE WAS PROVIDED TO ALL EMPLOYERS WHO TRAINED PARTICIPANTS ENTERING THE PROGRAM AFTER MARCH 31, 1977. PAROLE OFFICER ASSESSMENTS WERE ALSO OBTAINED AND ANALYZED. THE TYPICAL PARTICIPANT IS 17 YEARS OLD, MALE, SINGLE, LIVES WITH ONE OR BOTH PARENTS, RESIDES IN AN URBAN AREA, HAS SOME HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION, WAS A JUVENILE PAROLEE, STAYED IN THE PROGRAM 10.8 WEEKS, AND DID NOT COMPLETE THE PROGRAM. EVIDENCE INDICATES THAT PARTICIPANTS HAVE A LOWER RECIDIVISM RATE THAN NONPARTICIPANTS. CORRELATION STUDY OF 21 VARIABLES SHOWED NO SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PROGRAM COMPLETERS AND NONCOMPLETERS. ALTHOUGH TEOP EXPERIENCED A NONCOMPLETION RATE OF 62 PERCENT, NOT ALL NONCOMPLETERS DROPPED OUT FOR PROGRAM RELATED REASONS. EMPLOYERS AND PAROLE OFFICERS VIEW THE PROGRAM FAVORABLY. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A PREORIENTATION INVOLVING APTITUDE TESTS BE PROVIDED, THE TRAINING PERIOD BE INCREASED, AND CONTACT WITH THE PAROLE OFFICER DURING TRAINING BE MAINTAINED ON A REGULAR BASIS. FOOTNOTES, APPENDIXES, TABLES, AND FIGURES ARE INCLUDED IN THE EVALUATION.