by Robert F. Morrell, Vharles T. Merbitz, Shelley Jain, Santosh Jain
page 1-8
A sample of 1000 consecutively admitted offenders in a midwestern state prison system were screened for incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and symptomatology of TBI using a interview format previously found to identify residents with high rates of prison disciplinary rule infraction. Of the 1000 offenders interviewed, 249 (24.9%) reported receiving at least one traumatic head injury. Percentage of prisoners reporting head trauma who experience loss of consciousness and residual head injury symptoms were also investigated. The findings are discussed and future research is suggested.
by Glenn D. Walters
page 9-23
The Lifestyle Criminality Screening Form (LCSF) is reviewed in an effort to evaluate its potential use in clinical and probation settings. The individual strengths and weaknesses of the LCSF are discussed in light of its demographic correlates, reliability, and validity. It is recommended that clinical interpretation of the LCSF consider the total score grouped into three categories (scores below 7 being classified as "low risk", scores between 7 and 9 as "moderate risk", and scores of 10 or higher as "high risk") which can then be used to establish the client's optimal level of supervision/intervention.
by Nathaniel Eugene Terrell
page 25-35
This paper is designed to elicit an innovative way of counseling that reintegrates African Americans who have been convicted of nonviolent crimes back into mainstream society. Current methods of reintegrating ex-offenders into society through work release, furloughs, and halfway houses have had mixed results. This paper proposes the development of a house designed to counsel ex-offenders as an alternative method for reintegration. The counseling ex-offenders' house is designed to serve as a support group instilling cultural and educational values, social networking, and occupational opportunities to eradicate criminal behaviors and improve some of the negative images of African Americans.
by Jill McCorkel, Lana D. Harrison, James A. Inciardi
page 37-59
This study explores the influence of client constructions of "drug treatment" on their expectations and participation in a prison-based therapeutic community program. Initial investigation into client attrition revealed that those who prematurely left the program frequently did so under the assumption that they had never received treatment. Indeed, clients who dropped out of the program overwhelming believed that "treatment" consists of a passive, hierarchical relationship with a counselor in which activities are tailored to respond to the uniqueness of the individual's life experiences. The therapeutic community modality de-emphasizes individually tailored treatment in favor of peer-group counseling and role modeling. In light of a treatment modality that deviated from their expectations, clients defined the program as "punishment" and dropped out. Of those clients who remained in the program to graduate, many maintained similar notions of an ideal type of treatment, but these changes to accommodate the therapeutic community modality over time. This study explores the significance of constructions of treatment on residents' experiences in the program and examines the processes that lead some clients to reject the TC modality, while others are able to successfully embrace it. Suggestions for reducing client attrition in group therapy programs are drawn from the analysis.
by Martha K. Wilson, Peggy Quinn, Barbara A. Beville, Stephen C. Anderson
page 61-76
There has been in dramatic increase in the numbers of women incarcerated with a significant proportion of these women being identified as recidivists. Attention is turning toward the role that community transition plays in the revolving door syndrome. This paper identifies and critically reviews community transition treatment models in the fields of corrections, human services, and mental health for their usefulness in helping female inmates successfully reintegrate into their communities.
by Sarah E. Twill. Larry Nackerud, Edwin A. Risler, Jeffrey A. Bernat, David Taylor
page 77-92
Halfway houses are a unique correctional tool that may have the potential not only to relieve prison overcrowding, but also to provide services for offenders that may increase successful reintegration into the community. This investigation examined loneliness, social support, and locus of control as related to the successful readjustment of parolees living in a halfway house. The research questions were tested utilizing a single group pretest-posttest design evaluating changes in parolee's adjustment rated before entering and after completing residence in the halfway house program. Data were collected on 37 residents who participated in a halfway house program during an 11-month period in 1996-97. Results of the analysis indicated significant decreases in loneliness, and increases in the internal locus of control for the participants at the completion of the halfway house experience.
by Holly Bell, Carol Todd
page 93-105
Numerous studies have identified characteristics of juvenile prostitution in large urban areas. This study focuses on whether juvenile prostitution might present itself differently in a midsize city, namely Austin, Texas. To examine this question, a sample of 242 at-risk youth were asked about a number of their activities, including their participation in prostitution. Youth involved in prostitution were compared with other at-risk youth not involved in prostitution on an number of variables correlated with prostitution in previous research. The 21 youth who reported prostitution involvement were significantly more than their nonprostitute counterparts to have been victims of sexual or physical abuse, to live away from their families, to attend school irregularly or not at all and to have a criminal history, particularly drug-related offenses and prostitution. Implications for service delivery to at-risk youth are discussed.
by Clark C. Rose, Brian A. Glaser, Eric Roth
page 107-122
The debate regarding whether juvenile delinquents' self-concepts are high or low is explored in this study. Global measures of self-concept have been employed extensively in conjunction with attempts to understand the causal factors involved in delinquency. The present study uses the Self-Description Questionnaire-II (SDQ-II) to examine the multi-dimensionality of self-concept as defined by March and Shavelson (1985). Should those providing treatment try to raise the global self-concept of the delinquent or should they target the specific dimension of the self-concept that is low? The analysis of data revealed that neither General Self (GS) non Total Self-concept is low, but other dimensions of delinquents' self-concepts are. The results of this study generally support the advisability of using a more complex, multifaceted instrument to measure self-concept.
by Gail A. Caputo
page 123-137
This article describes a classroom-based educational and treatment program for adults under probation supervision for shoplifting offenses in Nueces County, Texas. Case file review and face-to-face interviews indicate that most of the shoplifters are poor, uneducated single mothers with negative attitudes who live in destructive environments. They reported stealing for their own consumption or for people they care about. A sixteen-hour program was designed based on two assumptions: (1) these people may be motivated to steal to improve the quality of their lives and of those they care for; and (2) people do have some control over their lives and would be motivated to improve the quality of their lives in constructive ways of they felt they could. The program is designed to initiate productive self-improvement and to reduce recidivism among participants. This paper describes shoplifters on probation in the area and introduces the antishoplifting program.
by Charles Bahn, James R.. Davis
page 139-150
Day Reporting Centres (DRCs) first implemented in Great Britain are a relatively new alternative to incarceration in the United States. There are about 114 of these centres in the United States. They are characterized by high surveillance and diverse services and programs. They vary in (a) selection criteria, (b) size, (c) type, (d) goals, (e) requirements, and (f) termination rates. Preliminary evidence reveals some success in (a) reducing costs, (b) prison overcrowding, and (c) recidivism. They offer a great potential for rehabilitation because they simulate real life circumstances. The center of the future must stress (a) services, (b) a uniform policy of sanctions, and (c) a standard process for full evaluation of their effects.
by Douglas D. Koski
page 151-164
Standard measures of strength of association were used to test the relationship between the primary independent variable-participation in, and/or completion of-a program of vocational education and the categorical dependent variable "return", the operative measure of recidivism. A random sample of 600 adult parolees from the Missouri Department of Corrections were scrutinized in this aggregate level study. With the exception of a single finding concerning drug offenders, no significant relationships were found. With respect to those relationships not found statistically significant, it is concluded that the lack of a clear consensus on program objective, along with the failure to consider the compound nature of the offenders problems, largely accounted for lack of program success.
Transcribed by Catherine McGlew
9 September 1998