Discusses the development of the existing correctional programs in Canada's prisons, some theories of criminality, and two competing views on the best way to reform criminals today. Also gives a short review of penitentiary education programs. (RK)

Women in Transition was conceived as an action project of the California Commission on the Status of Women. The purpose of the project was to test the effectiveness of community volunteers in providing much-needed services to women incarcerated in the county jail. Findings were varied. Community women were interested in the women in jail and did…

The New Zealand Department of Corrections commissioned an outcome evaluation of an outdoor adventure challenge program (OACP) on 84 participating inmates at Rolleston Prison. The program consisted of 2 weeks of fitness training, skill development, and challenge experiences, followed by a 5-day wilderness expedition. Outcome was measured in three…

This paper gives the specifics of a federal offenders rehabilitation program implementation and evaluation which will test and demonstrate the effects of providing intensive vocational rehabilitation services to federal offenders. The authors note that criminal offenders have difficulty in vocational adjustment, and this is exacerbated by their…

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)

Describes and evaluates a life skills program that focuses on addressing the special needs of female inmates. Analyses of pre- and post-test scores of program participants compared emotional empathy, self-esteem, coping resources, problem solving, parenting stress, employability, and well-being. Results suggest tat the program does address some of…

Studied effect of teaching style on moral development of prison inmates by comparing teacher-centered pedagogical style and learner-centered andragogical style. Results support use of andragogical style to produce moral development in adult students in correctional setting. (Author/BH)

Reports the evaluation of a 15-week parent education program in a state prison for women. Results indicate a positive increase in self-esteem and significant positive changes in parenting attitudes. Participants claimed that the program helped them improve interactions with their children on visitation and in their communication through letters.…

The efficacy of an Assertive Community Treatment approach in preventing jail recidivism for the mentally ill was compared with that of forensic specialist case management or referral to mental health centers. More experimental subjects (total final sample of 94) returned to jail within a year. (SLD)

The Educational Media Technician program at Burlington County College, Pemberton, New Jersey, ended its first year of operation August 31, 1973. The program had two main objectives: (1) to train and place students in jobs as paraprofessionals in libraries and media centers, (2) to train corrections institution inmates and parolees in library or…

Recidivism of first-time offenders sentenced to a "boot camp" program is compared to traditional prison sentences and probation; Variables such as age, race, and type of offense are included in cross-tabulations and multivariate analysis. A survey of 83 participants studied attitudes toward the experience. Discussion of findings points…

In attempting to determine the cost of probation and the cost of incarceration of adult felons in Texas, it was discovered that there were no comparative figures available. A search of the literature was conducted to determine the proper standards for probation caseload management and to identify problems associated with previous cost studies. In…

In a study to determine what impact prison college programs have had and to provide information useful to policy decisions, an evaluation, findings, and conclusions are presented for the Newgate and four other programs. An evaluation is made of post prison careers utilizing recidivism, "making it", and "doing good" as a…

Seventy-four participants attended the 4-day National Conference on Pre-Release Programs for a symposium on adult offender programs. Presentations heard included: (1) "Halfway House Programs--A National Overview" by O.J. Keller, Jr., (2) "The Evolving Program of a Privately Operated Halfway House" by Robert P. Taylor, (3) "The Employment Program…

A two-year study was undertaken in Massachusetts to evaluate the impact of vocational education on released ex-offenders. In the first year, evaluation procedures and interview instruments were developed, a survey of inmates was conducted, and the data collected was analyzed and summarized in a report. Since the second year of the study was not…