An article by Abrams and Siegel, "The Transcendental Meditation Program at Folsom State Prison: A Cross Validation Study" is examined and found wanting in several respects. A second article responds that the findings of the Abrams-Siegel study resulted from the Rosenthal effect, experimental bias, and other effects. (LPG)

Examined the attitudes of a sample of correctional officers toward selected treatment programs. Besides a number of factors which correlated with positive attitudes toward treatment, several factors correlated negatively, including number of years of service and a belief that the primary function of corrections is punishment. (Author)

The effects of an experimental program of differential classification and treatment were studied by comparing releasees from two Federal Correctional Institutions. Releasees from the experimental institution had more paroles, fewer mandatory releases or expirations of sentences, and more escapes or transfers than the comparison institution.…

The evaluation of a juvenile diversion program by Quay and Love (1977) is criticized for employing follow-up periods of differing durations. A second article by Quay and Love responds to Mrad's suggestion that the experimental effect was due to a greater post-program exposure time for the control group. (LPG)

In a secondary analysis of the Abrams and Siegel evaluation of the Transcendental Meditation program at Folsom prison, experimental groups fared better than control groups, although the treatment explains only a small proportion of the variance. (Author)

Analysis of data from four prisons of different types confirmed previous findings that overcrowding is positively related to disruptive behavior, and that the strength of this relationship varies with the type of correctional institution. Overcrowding and constructive behavior are negatively related. (Author)

The Public Offender Counselor Inventory was developed to assess counseling outcomes in prisons. The instrument was written to be relevant to the special needs of inmates. This instrument was successfully utilized to assess the results of groups conducted with female prisoners with drug problems. (Author)

In an effort to evaluate the effectiveness of the furlough program as a correctional device, an analysis of rates of recidivism for individuals released from Massachusetts' state correctional institutions in the years 1973 and 1974 was conducted. Analysis of the data indicates that the participation in the Home Furlough Program led to a…

Determined a prisoner-run delinquency prevention program's effectiveness in the prevention of delinquency in previously arrested youths. Found that the program had no effect on the delinquent behavior of females. Males who attended the program, however, were arrested at a significantly higher rate than counterparts who did not hear the prisoners'…

Inquired into prisoners' preference for and evaluation of peer counselor inmates trained in counseling or professional counselors, through use of videotaped, simulated counseling vignettes. Barron's Ego Strength Scale was not a useful predictor of inmates' preference. Several subjects preferred professional counselors; however, this did not lead…

Effects of the Transcendental Meditation program in a maximum security prison were studied via cross-validation design. Meditation and control groups indicated reduction in anxiety, neuroticism, hostility, and insomnia as a function of the treatment. (Author)

Analyzed the process of granting work release. Administrative data on a 10 percent random sample of incarcerated males provided the basis for a path analysis. High custody grade was found to have a very strong direct path with granting of work releases. Other variables had weaker paths. (Author)

Interaction of offender type by treatment program was examined for 100 adult offenders with alcohol and drug problems assigned to a group therapy program and 50 to routine care. Offenders who were classified high in self-image showed greater improvement in the group therapy program. (Author/HLM)

Outlines the pros and cons of Project JOLT, a "Scared Straight" type of program. Raises some theoretical, methodological, and political issues surrounding the Scared Straight approach. Illustrates some of the pitfalls in program evaluation in corrections and makes some recommendations. (Author/RC)

Base expectancy rates were used to evaluate the guidelines of a program intended to "shock" youthful first offenders into law-abiding behavior through brief incarceration followed by probation. Data analysis revealed that prior record was the best predictor of reincarceration. (Author/CS)