Showing papers in "Journal of Offender Rehabilitation in 1976"
TL;DR: In this article, the effectiveness of group psychotherapy was measured by comparing ihe institutional behavior of 46 experirnental subjects and 46 controls, which consisted of inmates at a maximum security, adult institution who were randomly chosen from the subject pool, and who were then offered the opportunity to participate in group therapy.
Abstract: The effectiveness of group psychotherapy was measured by comparing ihe institutional behavior of 46 experirnental subjects and 46 controls. The experimental group consisted of inmates at a maximum security, adult institution who were randomly chosen from the subject pool, and who were then offered the opportunity to participate in group therapy. As a result, experimental subjects showed significantly better institutional adjustment. In addilion, subjects' motivation and need for therapy were measured. Need for therapy correlated significantly with institutional adjustment, and motivation for therapy correlated with therapy attendance in the experimental group. However, subjects who had low motivation and need for therapy showed just as much gain from therapy as did subjects with high motivation and need.
18 citations
TL;DR: The Federally-sponsored research and development project centered on the current state of participatpry management programs in correctional institutions as mentioned in this paper was one of the first studies to evaluate the effects of participatory management on prisoners.
Abstract: The Federally-sponsored research and development project centered on the current s+ate of participatpry management programs in correctional institutions. Questionnaires were mailed to all adult institutions known to have some form of council or committee structure. on -site visits conducted at several institutions included: large and small; male, female, and coed; those having councils and'those having committees; and those representing various geographical regions of the United States. Interviews were held with 'administrators, staff, and inmates where possible. Council members were interviewed and, when allowed, council, meetings were observed. There is confusion and misconception aboutParticipatory management and no differentiation in the literature based upon typological categories. The prevailing assumption in penological circles that \"inmate government\" is a corrupting, dysfunctional modality for prison \\management is based almost entirely upon examples which are not participatory management as discussed in this project. Inmate councils have come into existence mainly in response to a crisis rather than as a treatment program of self-responsibility. Although there is some evidence to indicate' measurable, positive effects of shared decision-making, there is no evidence of research or evaluation to assess the effects of participatory management on either the institutions or the participants. Tables and questionnaires are appended. (Author/EA) r....=mm....., . , 6 APR I SHARED DECISION-MAKING AS A TREATMENT TECHNIQUE I IN PRISON MANAGEMENT THE MURTON FOUNDATION FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE, INC.
16 citations
11 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss recent research findings that suggest that delinquency and criminal behavior may well have causes related to biochemical deficiencies and dependencies, and a review is made of a group of treatment strategies that have been used successfully in the treatment of these problems.
Abstract: This paper discusses recent research findings that suggest that delinquency and criminal behavior may well have causes related lo biochemical deficiencies and/or dependencies. The implications of these findings for correctional rehabilitation of offenders are considered to be enormous. The paper describes four of the typical kinds of symptom groups frequently found among those suffering from bioehemical deficiencies or dependencies, and these symptoms are shown to be related to behavior common among many delinquents and criminals. A review is also made of a group of treatment strategies that have been used successfully in the treatment of these problems, basically through the use of highly nutritional diets and megadoses of selected vitamins.
10 citations
6 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined personality and demographic variables for 110 members of a therapeutic community in a maximum security penitentiary to determine whether any differences exist between dropouts adn completers of the program.
Abstract: Personality and demographic variables for 110 members of a therapeutic community in a maximum security penitentiary are examined to determine whether any differences exist between dropouts adn completers of the program. Attempts are made to generalize findings from alcoholism treatment programs, to find differences unique to the correctional program, and to develop a practical predictive equation. One significant difference and three trends are observed.
6 citations
TL;DR: The authors showed that indicators based on official records and self-reports of offense type are less adequate for predictive and causal studies of recidivism than those based on the latter, and a typology developed from the reported offenses shows that personal offenders are more likely to be recidivists than are property offenders.
Abstract: Many investigators, using official statistics, have reported that personal offenders are less likely to be recidivists than are property offenders. The present study, using official records and self-reports of offense type, shows that indicators based on the former are less adequate for predictive and causal studies of recidivism than those based on the latter. Moreover, a typology developed from the reported offenses shows that personal offenders are more likely to be recidivists than are property offenders.
3 citations
3 citations
3 citations
TL;DR: The authors showed that providing misdemeanant services does reduce recidivism and that the amount of reduction is closely related to the type of service provided by the service provider and not the client.
Abstract: Recent publicity suggests that corrections is not "correcting" and as a result the taxpayer is being "ripped off." Corrections brings much of this criticism upon itself by its preoccupation with its most serious clients. Almost all the research has been done relative to prison and parole whose clients could not qualify for other programs. There is almost no research in the area of misdemeanant services. Like universities, the correctional programs that produce the most successful graduates are those with the most stringent entrance requirements. This study indicates that providing misdemeanant services does reduce recidivism and that the amount of reduction is closely related to the type of service. Condemning corrections for failing to "rehabilitate" the most hardened criminals seems somewhat analogous to condemning doctors for failing to cure the most advanced cancers.
3 citations
TL;DR: The most needed community-based services for developmentally disabled offenders were specialized living arangements, counseling, evaluation, and sheltered employment, with educational services and information and referral services also ranking high in agency seleclions as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: This survey examined the needs and problems of developmentally disabled offenders, particularly the mentatly retarded, in community-based programs in Illinois. Data were collected and analyzed for the purposes of identifying agency concerns, agency needs, and gaps in program services, in personnel needs, and in other relevant areas. It was indicated by the respondents that there was a need for specialized programs for cdeveEopmenfally disabled offenders, as well as specialized training for staff persons working with developmentally disabled offenders. The respondents further indicated that, in their opinion, the most needed community-based services for developmentally disabled offenders were specialized living arangements, counseling, evaluation, and sheltered employment, with educational services and information and referral services also ranking high in agency seleclions. Models of service must be developed for this specialized population through the funding of community-based programs for developmental...