Explores benefits from vocational education in prisons. Examines barber training program in medium security state prison in the South. Presents program results, along with staff and inmate assessments of program. Concludes that program effects were minimal as result of misperceptions of the program. (Author/NB)

Analyzed demographic data on 403 Oklahoma nonviolent inmates who went through the Regimented Inmate Discipline Program in 1984-1985 which emphasized self-discipline and regimentation. Interviewed a sample of inmates to identify the most supportive components of the program. (Author/ABL)

Evaluates the Federal Bureau of Prisons' substance abuse treatment program's effectiveness in reducing prisoner misconduct. Results show that program graduates are 74 percent less likely to engage in misconduct over a 14-month period than a comparison group. This benefit is shared by male and female inmates alike. (Contains 25 references and 2…

Discusses some of the past and current career counseling programs for prisoners and examines reasons for failure. Proposes a systematic and comprehensive career counseling program for male inmates. (Author/ABB)

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)

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)

Describes a project in which female prisoners were matched with socially active women volunteers from the surrounding community. Program encouraged home visits, shopping trips, attendance at various activities in the community, and opportunities to engage in personal interaction. Results indicate that each encounter was significant to all persons…

Examined how family life education program affected prisoners' (n=54) narcissism and view of ideal family functioning. Data indicated prisoners were more narcissistic and perceived their family relationships as being more extreme than did test norms. Following participation in program, narcissism was significantly lower and perception of family…

Evaluated 6-week jail substance abuse treatment program. Compared to no-treatment controls (n=422), program participants (n=535) remained significantly longer in community until rearrest, experienced fewer arrests, and served less jail time during the first year following their release. Participants made significant improvements in coping…

Considers the problems in using recidivism as a single--or even major--standard for the evaluation of a criminal sanctioning system, not only because of its tie to the problematic goal of rehabilitation, but because of the inadequacy of any single criterion of effectiveness. (Author/RK)

Describes the San Luis Obispo County Jail Treatment program, which included crisis management, psychiatric services, substance abuse counseling, Graduate Equivalency Diploma preparation, vocation counseling, and postrelease counseling and referral. Data from 73 offenders indicated the approach was effective in lowering the immediate recidivism…

Examined the impact of a Family Reunion Program which allows inmates ineligible for furlough to have an extended family visit. Results suggested the program has a positive impact on encouraging inmates who were originally disapproved for participation due to disciplinary infractions to improve their institutional behavior. (JAC)

Examines perceptions among correctional officers, correctional staff, and women inmates of the most effective type of rehabilitative programs. Builds on an earlier paper focusing on women inmates' perceptions. Findings indicate that all three groups believed the majority of the programs currently offered to be either "Okay" or "Very…

The effectiveness of a live-in nursery program for women inmates is studied. Measurement standards were determined and tested to establish a known base line in the first two years. Goals of the nursery program in Nebraska and profiles of inmates are presented. Cost issues are addressed. (Author/EMK)

Discusses the effects of psychoeducational treatment on the self-concept of incarcerated sex offenders in a prison residential program. Uses the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale to assess the self-concept of sex offenders as they progressed through the program. Results suggest that offenders showed less defensiveness, more self-criticism, and greater…