As an aid to therapists who work with inmates with long or life sentences who are mandated to receive treatment, this article attempts to follow an inmate with a life sentence who passed through stages of fear and anger and began to understand that changes were needed if he were ever to have his sentence commuted. (Author/NB)

Approaches recidivism from the perspective of ethnomethdology and views recidivism as the product of various decisions and interactions. Consequently, rehabilitation and measures of its success or failure must be considered as a process. An example is presented of the use of failure rate analysis in analyzing recidivism. (JAC)

Explores origins of boot camp concept and application of its principles to juvenile delinquents. Offers eight-point critique of concept itself. Concludes with alternative: combination of intermittent incarceration (lasting at least six months and comprised of "no frills" camp for one week, followed by weekends gradually spaced further…

Proposes a cognitive therapy model as a workable approach in treating incarcerated clients. Reviews principal components and techniques of cognitive theory. Uses case vignettes to illustrate application of this approach. Delineates key features of cognitive model which relate to treatment of incarcerated population. (Author/ABL)

Describes efforts to reform offenders in People's Republic of China (PRC). Examines Confucian and Legalist views, particularly Confucian ideals of basic goodness of people, ability of moral teachings to reform, and responsibility of social groups for their members. Describes four general approaches to offender reform: local assistance and…

Explores prison history/development in New Zealand, focusing on recent implementation of progressive prison operation/management program, He Ara Hou. Notes extremely positive results of program, such as higher administrative efficiency; greatly decreased levels of internal disorder; competent, stable workforce; and human product whose senses of…

This report was prepared for the Wisconsin State Legislative Council's Special Committee on Community Corrections Issues. It provides background information on the Wisconsin prison system for adults and the Wisconsin community corrections system for adults. Part I examines the prison system, focusing on administration of the system, sentencing…

Describes work in Saint Anne Institute Juvenile Sex Offender Project, which uses alternative techniques in working with juvenile sex offenders in group modality. Discusses theoretical framework noted to be effective in working with juvenile sex offenders. Examines significant concepts such as power, anger, helplessness, and objectification of the…

Presents a version of reality therapy with adult offenders. Focuses on the normative principles underlying the theory, and outlines five basic treatment techniques--involvement, current behavior, evaluation of behavior, planning, and commitment, illustrated with case vignettes. Concludes that reality therapy can promote more responsible behavior…

Outlines method for identifying worker training needs and describes empirical study of training needs of juvenile probation staff in one state. Identifies diverse set of training needs. Notes that many subject areas corresponding to needs are currently taught in schools of criminal justice, sociology, and social work. Discusses implications of…

Offers historical overview of "criminal sexual psychopath" legislation, which customarily prescribes confinement for treatment (rather than incarceration for punishment) for offenders whose sex crimes are attributed to sexual psychopathology. Discusses desire of American Bar Association and Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry to…

Discusses various treatment methods for substance abuse counseling in community corrections that have survived tests of empirical scrutiny, clinical experience, and practical financial considerations. Methods are offered by community corrections professionals for developing a basic design for outpatient substance abuse treatment programs.…

Discusses respective roles and responsibilities of public and private sectors in corrections field. Describes service contracting and use of private sector for rehabilitation programs carried out in community. Maintains the importance of assuring accountability and assessing the value of services, and the legitimacy of cooperation and…

Describes how indeterminate sentencing creates unique adaptations on the part of inmates, creating different kinds of difficulties for the staff. Questions whether this type of sentencing facilitates rehabilitation any more than traditional mandatory sentencing. (JAC)

Describes nature and usefulness of process evaluation techniques, stressing their importance in understanding why and how drug treatment programs succeed and fail. Specific aspects of process evaluation discussed include topics for conducting such analyses, diverse data sources which should be accessed in thorough process evaluation, and decision…