NCJ Number
70446
Date Published
1976
Length
270 pages
Annotation
A systems-oriented evaluation of the goals, productivity, and effectiveness of a New York State county jail's Counseling Program for Inmates (CPI) in presented.
Abstract
The CPI, funded by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice from January 1972 through August 1974, was designed to provide inmates with personal and paralegal counseling and to assist them with handling practical needs arising from incarceration, by contacting families, friends, and outside community resources. This dissertation studied program accessibility, types of needs and clients served, and problemsolving resources used. The four major research instruments were the counselor record forms, the inmate interviews, relatives' interviews, and the jail guards' interviews. Information was collected over a 2-year period. Through CPI efforts including distribution of leaflets, business cards, and poster display, inmate awareness of the program increased dramatically by 1973. A total of 64 percent of nonparticipating inmates were aware of CPI. Analysis revealed that counselors responded quickly to requests for contact, and 81 percent of inmate responses regarding CPI effectiveness were positive. CPI clients were predominantly male, single, black, and under 29 years of age. Identified client needs included contact with significant others, legal needs, assistance in obtaining release from jail, financial and material needs, counseling, internal jail needs, nonlegal professional help, and general needs. Overall, CPI effectively alleviated inmates' stress by establishing contacts with resources that could solve inmate problems. similar programs could help to reduce tensions in other jails. Tables, over 40 references, and appendixes presenting counselor record forms and interview schedules are included.