In the late 1990s, California legislators funded a statewide, community-based correctional program intended to reduce parolee recidivism. Overseen by the California Department of Corrections, the Preventing Parolee Crime Program (PPCP) provided literacy training, employment services, housing assistance, and substance abuse treatment to tens of…

The author argues that criminal justice professionals have failed in most cases to critically evaluate programs introduced into the criminal justice system. This problem is discussed in the context of pretrial diversion, an increasingly popular innovation in criminal justice. (Author)

The impact of Supported Work on former drug addicts' employment, crime, and drug use is examined. The program was found to increase the earnings of some addicts and reduce ex-addicts' crime rates, but did not affect their recidivism to drugs. (CT)

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…

Provides an overview of a comprehensive, prison-based treatment assessment, including a six-month follow-up study. Results show that 80% of the inmates referred to the program graduated. Graduates demonstrated marked reductions in criminal and drug-use activity and had lower relapse and recidivism rates when compared to other parolees. (RJM)

This evaluation of Florida's extensive system (from 140 to 395 youths) of self-contained juvenile training schools (TS) profiles the delinquent client population and examines the recidivism rate. After discussing the dangers of using recidivism as the sole indicator of rehabilitation, the study's methodology is explained. A random sample follows…

The suburban or rural Short Term Adolescent Rehabilitation Treatment (START) Centers house 20 or 25 youths unable to cope with daily community involvement, yet not requiring institutional isolation or security. This program evaluation monitors the effectiveness of the START program. The report examines in detail the types of delinquent youth…

This document presents the summative evaluation of the offender assistance program coordinated by the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges (AACJC) as well as the final evaluation reports of the three pilot programs for convicted parolees operated by participating community colleges. The local-level evaluations include detailed…

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…

This report evaluates the pilot Intensive Counseling Program which serves juvenile delinquents with community-based group (eight to ten youths) counseling sessions that meet at least four times a week, and are less expensive and more personalized than traditional residential treatment. Youths and parents contract for the program and must be able…

Examines a program with typical failure rates for chronic drunk driver treatment, and identifies factors associated with client success. Results indicate that socioeconomic status, criminality, and time-at-risk predict client success following treatment. Staff prognosis, maturity, child abuse, and other conditions do not predict success. (RJM)

This evaluation profiles the population and studies the recidivism rate for Florida's three community-based, residential group treatment (GT) programs for juvenile delinquents not requiring the more intensive security and isolation of the state's training schools. Other ERIC documents describe the smaller (serving 7-25 youths) positive peer…

Mastery of literacy skills may be a preventive and proactive way to address the problem of the high cost of imprisonment and the huge increase in the prison population. However, correctional educators contend with multiple problems in delivering literacy programs to inmates. Findings of the National Adult Literacy Survey indicate that, of the 5…

Project STEP (Short Term Elective Program) is an outdoor-educational program that, through teaching wilderness survival skills and affording a necessity for their use, provides juvenile delinquents with a feeling of self-reliance and self-worth. The program is designed for committed youths, primarily males, at least 13 to 14 years of age, but…

This report presents the results of an evaluation of New York State's Division for Youth (DFY) rehabilitation programs, which range from secure facilities to residential homes. The goals of the evaluation were to assess the level of expenditures for facility operation and use, to determine the scope of programs and the extent to which they meet…