{"title":"The Power of Personal Narratives in Crime Prevention and Reentry: Process Evaluation of the Seattle Police Department’s IF Project","authors":"J. Helfgott, E. Gunnison, P. A. Collins, S. Rice","doi":"10.1080/23774657.2017.1408437","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/23774657.2017.1408437","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT With thousands of ex-offenders entering communities every week, reentry is at the forefront of agendas for legislators and correctional administrators. The IF Project, founded in 2008 in Washington State, seeks to foster crime prevention and successful reentry through the use of offender narratives. This paper reports results from an evaluation of the IF Project comprised of process and outcome elements including: 1) Development of an IF Project “tool-kit” describing program structure, components and content; and 2) Pilot of a pre/post survey instrument to understand how the program is perceived by participants. Results from analyses of surveys and observation of the IF Project workshops including 68 adult participants is presented. Future steps in evaluating the IF Project are discussed.","PeriodicalId":91861,"journal":{"name":"Corrections : policy, practice and research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/23774657.2017.1408437","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42408361","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Does Size Influence Jail Efficiency? An Analysis of Local Jails in the United States","authors":"E. Alda","doi":"10.1080/23774657.2020.1731725","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/23774657.2020.1731725","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT This study examines the efficiency of local jails in the United States in 2016 using Data Envelopment Analysis with metafrontiers. Metafrontiers envelop jails that have a similar production technology and yield more accurate efficiency estimates. Using an input-oriented model with variable returns to scale, the results suggest that, on average, jails could reduce or reallocate their inputs by 37% given their output level. For managers, the findings provide evidence that jail managers can improve efficiency by carefully assessing how they allocate and use their resources. For policy makers, the results indicate that opportunities exist for implementing cost-saving approaches to maximize taxpayer dollars.","PeriodicalId":91861,"journal":{"name":"Corrections : policy, practice and research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-02-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/23774657.2020.1731725","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46124234","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Treating Offenders with Substance Abuse Problems: Implicit Beliefs about Addiction and Failed Drug Tests","authors":"T. May, T. Pratt","doi":"10.1080/23774657.2020.1728203","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/23774657.2020.1728203","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Rehabilitating substance-abusing offenders is difficult. And while correctional interventions that target problematic attitudes and cognitions have proven to be successful at reducing recidivism, the roster of attitudes and cognitions that should be targeted is often vague. This study examines the relationship between “implicit beliefs” about addiction – those beliefs that offenders might not even be aware that they hold, but that can nonetheless undermine successful treatment – and failed drug tests among a sample of offenders in a community-based treatment program. Results indicate a significant bivariate association between implicit beliefs and failed drug tests. The relationship holds up in a multivariate context, yet the patterns of magnitude and statistical significance differ depending upon how implicit beliefs are measured. The findings point to the potential importance of targeting for change offenders’ implicit beliefs and indicate that caution should be used when considering treatment models that emphasize the notion that offenders are “helpless” when it comes to their substance use addiction.","PeriodicalId":91861,"journal":{"name":"Corrections : policy, practice and research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/23774657.2020.1728203","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48962625","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Interacting Race/Ethnicity and Legal Factors on Sentencing Decisions: A Test of the Liberation Hypothesis","authors":"Kareem L. Jordan, Rachel Bowman","doi":"10.1080/23774657.2020.1726839","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/23774657.2020.1726839","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The purpose of the current study was to assess how well the liberation hypothesis explained sentencing decisions in Pennsylvania. Using eight years of data from the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing (2009–2016), we tested for the liberation hypothesis through the interaction of race/ethnicity with legal factors (offense gravity score and prior record score). In using a hurdle count model, it combined a logistic regression to predict the incarceration decision and a zero-truncated negative binomial regression to predict positive counts (incarceration length). The results provide some support for the liberation hypothesis but also suggest that the sentencing decision is complex, and race likely interacts with multiple factors to influence outcomes.","PeriodicalId":91861,"journal":{"name":"Corrections : policy, practice and research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/23774657.2020.1726839","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49022775","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Social Influences on Decisions to Refrain or Desist from Two Common Crimes among Incarcerated Men","authors":"Jeffrey A. Bouffard, Nicole Niebuhr","doi":"10.1080/23774657.2020.1712270","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/23774657.2020.1712270","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Desistance scholars have increasingly focused on what is conceived of as a lengthy process of moving away from criminality, especially the central role of the individual making a decision to do so. Control theories may be especially useful in understanding this process, given their emphasis on social influences that may restrain individuals from crime. Research on control theories has often examined marriage, employment, family bonds, and belief in the law, as well as the impact of one’s internal level of self-control. Using survey data and hypothetical vignettes depicting drunk driving and aggravated assault, we examine a number of widely used social control variables, and other influences on decisions to refrain, and desist from these two common offenses. Among 428 incarcerated males, having a romantic partner significantly increased the likelihood of conformity, while having antisocial peers and having engaged in prior similar offenses significantly decreased the likelihood of conformity. Importantly, each of these effects appeared to vary by offense type. Implications for future research on the desistance process and control theories are discussed, as are implications for effective correctional services that seek to promote desistance and successful community reintegration.","PeriodicalId":91861,"journal":{"name":"Corrections : policy, practice and research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/23774657.2020.1712270","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45024642","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Danielle L. Haverkate, Travis J. Meyers, Cody W. Telep, Kevin A. Wright
{"title":"On PAR with the Yard: Participatory Action Research to Advance Knowledge in Corrections","authors":"Danielle L. Haverkate, Travis J. Meyers, Cody W. Telep, Kevin A. Wright","doi":"10.1080/23774657.2019.1576149","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/23774657.2019.1576149","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Participatory action research (PAR) focuses on conducting research with people, instead of on people. While this collaborative approach has been used across a range of disciplines, criminology has been slow to adopt the tenets of PAR. The current article seeks to reinvigorate the discussion of PAR as a research methodology within corrections. We highlight the success of our own project, where five incarcerated interviewers conducted over 400 interviews within the Arizona Department of Corrections. We describe the project—how we set it up, our perceived benefits, and our challenges—and we conclude with some thoughts on how PAR can be expanded in corrections specifically and in criminal justice in general. Our broader purpose is to highlight an innovative methodology to ensure conversations advance research that is translated into meaningful action.","PeriodicalId":91861,"journal":{"name":"Corrections : policy, practice and research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/23774657.2019.1576149","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45289514","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Participatory Evaluation in a Prison Education Program: Meaning & Community Building within Inside-Out Think Tanks","authors":"Sarah L. Allred, C. Boyd, T. Cotton, P. Perry","doi":"10.1080/23774657.2019.1604193","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/23774657.2019.1604193","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT This article presents the processes associated with a participatory evaluation of alumni groups—Think Tanks—affiliated with the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program. The participatory evaluation members included people incarcerated (Inside members) and an academic scholar (Outside member). Members were affiliated with Inside-Out and part of their respective Think Tanks. The participatory project yields insights related to having team members who are Inside and Outside people. In several ways, the participatory evaluation members experienced challenges to their working model throughout the project. Data come from nine focus groups convened in eight prisons moderated by the Outside member. The findings describe the personal meanings that Think Tank members attributed to being in the group. The analyses revealed that Think Tank participation represents a significant, positive experience to members. The themes identified to highlight the concepts of individual transformation, relationships, civic engagement, and solace. The perceptions of Think Tank experiences convey substantial individual growth as well as community building within and beyond the group into the general prison population and the outside world.","PeriodicalId":91861,"journal":{"name":"Corrections : policy, practice and research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/23774657.2019.1604193","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42114067","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cody W. Telep, Kevin A. Wright, Danielle L. Haverkate, Travis J. Meyers
{"title":"The Value of Participatory Action Research in Corrections: Introduction to the Special Issue","authors":"Cody W. Telep, Kevin A. Wright, Danielle L. Haverkate, Travis J. Meyers","doi":"10.1080/23774657.2020.1713636","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/23774657.2020.1713636","url":null,"abstract":"Criminological research largely relies on surveys or administrative data to study people involved in the criminal justice system, either as clients or as staff (Kleck et al., 2006; Woodward et al.,...","PeriodicalId":91861,"journal":{"name":"Corrections : policy, practice and research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/23774657.2020.1713636","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42696347","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Initial Reliability and Validity for the Critical Hire - Personality Assessment","authors":"Anthony W. Tatman","doi":"10.1080/23774657.2019.1699477","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/23774657.2019.1699477","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The use of personality testing during the hiring process has become a common practice in general business settings. However, their use has been rather non-existent in the field of corrections. This limited use may stem from a lack of awareness about preemployment personality tests in corrections, as well as a lack of measures normed and validated for use with correctional applicants. The present study outlines reliability and validity for the Critical Hire – Personality Assessment, a Five Factor Model based assessment of personality developed for probation, parole, and other correctional officer job applicants. This study provides initial empirical support for the Critical Hire – Personality Assessment’s internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, and criterion validity when measuring job performance ratings. Results provide practical application of the Critical Hire – Personality Assessment for correctional agencies as a tool complementing existing hiring practices.","PeriodicalId":91861,"journal":{"name":"Corrections : policy, practice and research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/23774657.2019.1699477","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60115119","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Fidelity Measures for Risk-Need Assessment (RNA) Tools Usage in Case Plans","authors":"T. Thurman, S. Chowdhury, F. Taxman","doi":"10.1080/23774657.2019.1696252","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/23774657.2019.1696252","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Risk-need assessment (RNA) tools are considered the gold standard of probation and parole supervision. The value of having an RNA tool is that the information can be used in case plans and supervising individuals. Practitioners and researchers frequently observe that officers fail to use RNA results in case plans. This study fills in this research gap by providing four fidelity measures to assess how well probation officers incorporated RNA tool results in case plans. The four measures are: 1) whether a person has a criminogenic or responsivity need in a particular area; 2) the consistency between the LSI-R subscale criminogenic/responsivity need area(s) and special condition(s), 3) whether the officer incorporated the LSI-R need areas into a case plan (yes/no), and, 4) the degree to which the special conditions are reflected in the case plan. A review of 116 RNA tools (using one specific instrument) and case plans was conducted to illustrate the feasibility of these fidelity measures. The study found discrepancies between the RNA tool results and case plans, and a tendency to emphasize special conditions over criminogenic needs. The use of the fidelity measures can assist agencies in identifying areas to improve operations and greater adherence to the quality supervision measures. Implications for future practice are covered in the discussion of this study.","PeriodicalId":91861,"journal":{"name":"Corrections : policy, practice and research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/23774657.2019.1696252","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42716604","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}