NCJ Number
52118
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 42 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1978) Pages: 51-56
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A PARTICIPATORY MANAGEMENT MODEL FOR CORRECTIONS IS PROPOSED, AND THE PARTICIPARTORY STRATEGY USED IN NORTH CAROLINA TO DEVELOP STANDARDIZED PROCEDURES FOR 11 DIAGNOSTIC CENTERS IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
IN ADDITION TO COMPLYING WITH STATE LAW AND INTERPRETATIONS OF VARIOUS COURT RULINGS, THE DIAGNOSTIC CENTERS MUST COMPLY WITH THE POLICY AND PROCEDURES DEVELOPED IN THE CENTRAL OFFICES AND PASSED DOWN TO THEM IN THE FORM OF A GUIDEBOOK AND/OR MEMORANDA. THE SYSTEM OF PASSING PROCEDURE DOWN TO THE FIELD FROM A CENTRALIZED OFFICE HAD NOT BEEN SUFFICIENT TO CURB EVOLUTIONARY DIVERGENCES OF PROCEDURES IN SEPARATE DIAGNOSTIC CENTERS. IN AN EFFORT TO REMEDY THIS PATTERN, A PARTICIPATORY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WAS DEVISED WHEREBY AFTER POLICY HAD BEEN DESIGNED BY THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL, THE DIRECTORS OF THE VARIOUS CENTERS WERE BROUGHT TOGETHER FOR ONE DAY CONFERENCES, OCCURRING AT ONE MONTH INTERVALS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE GOAL OF THESE MEETINGS WAS THREEFOLD: TO PROVIDE THE DIRECTORS AND CENTRAL STAFF WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET AND KNOW EACH OTHER; TO IDENTIFY AND DISCUSS COMMON PROBLEMS; AND TO ENABLE DIRECTORS TO DEVELOP AN IDENTITY AS A TEAM WITH COMMON GOALS. FOLLOWING THE INITIAL SERIES OF MEETINGS, A WORKSHOP WAS ORGANIZED WITH THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE OF PREPARING A PROCEDURES MANUAL CONTAINING CONSISTENT SYSTEMWIDE PROCEDURES FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC CENTERS. TASK FORCES WERE ORGANIZED TO DEVELOP PROCEDURES FOR IMPLEMENTING SPECIFIC POLICY STATEMENTS. TASK FORCE REPORTS WERE SUBMITTED TO ALL OTHER PARTICIPANTS AND THEN CIRCULATED AMONG A REVIEW COMMITTEE TO GET FEEDBACK ON THE TOTAL WORKSHOP PRODUCT. EACH PARTICIPANT LEFT THE WORKSHOP WITH A DRAFT OF THE PROCEDURES MANUAL, WHICH WAS SHARED WITH THE STAFF AT EACH CENTER. AFTER 4 WEEKS, THE DIRECTORS MET AGAIN FOR A ONE DAY SESSION TO REVIEW AND APPROVE THE MANUAL. AFTER THE PARTICIPANT'S FINAL APPROVAL, THE REVISED MANUAL WAS SUBMITTED TO THE TOP LEVEL ADMINISTRATORS FOR THEIR APPROVAL. THE MANUAL WAS APPROVED WITH ONLY MINOR CHANGES. IT IS BELIEVED THAT THIS PARTICIPATORY DEVELOPMENT OF PROCEDURES, ALTHOUGH COSTLY AND TIME CONSUMING, WILL LEAD TO MORE PRACTICAL, ACCEPTABLE PROCEDURES THAT WILL BE PURSUED BY DIRECTORS AS AN EXPRESSION OF THEIR OWN INPUT. SOME OF THE BENEFITS DERIVED FROM THIS PROCESS ARE LISTED. (RCB)