Beginning of Exam 2 MaterialImplementation Evaluation! - An evaluation of whether the necessary services are being delivered to the ! intended targets! - Important that services are delivered in a high quality manner! - Important that services are delivered in a way that addresses the needs and ! underlying theory of the problem! ! - Services should be provided to certain populations that have more needs ! ! (the problem is worst)! ! - Services should be directed at addressing the causes of the problem ! ! (based on theory)Dimensions of an Implementation Evaluation! - Planned delivery of services! ! - Rehabilitation! ! ! -Types of treatment, staff training, varying degrees of community ! ! ! supervision (probation and parole)! ! - Punishment! ! ! - Arrests, sentencing, and other sanctioning (e.g., solitary ! ! ! confinement)! - Operations! ! - Quality of service provided to the target population! ! ! - Judicial discretion, community supervision discretion, one-on-one ! ! ! treatment meetingsPerformance Monitoring! - The process of continually conducting implementation evaluations as long as ! the policy is in place! - Performance monitoring can help make sure services continue to be provided in ! a high quality mannerAssessing Policy Performance! -In order to effectively evaluate the performance of a policy, there needs to be !guidelines! ! -These guidelines should be:! ! ! -Consistent! ! ! -Transparent! ! ! -SpecificConducting an Implementation Evaluation! -Critical to have a clear definition of the needs and theory of a problem! -If not, we won’t know what to measure or what we are looking for! ! -How are we to know if a policy is effective, ineffective, or in between?! -Can look to theory and past research for guidance! ! ! ! ! Theory formation! ! ! ! ! Exploratory research!!! !!!Theory!! ! ! ! Reality! ! ! ! ! Theory validation! ! ! ! ! Empirical research! -**First, have a solid theory evaluation! ! -Make sure that you have a good idea about what is going to be required ! ! from the policy to impact the problem! -**Second, make sure systematic evaluations are conducted to monitor the ! implementation of the policy and keep important service providers accountable! -**Third, choose which measures will serve to assess how well a policy is being ! implemented! ! -Are we interested in evaluating planned services or operations?! ! -Maybe we want to evaluate bothThe Importance of an Implementation Evaluation! -First, a good implementation evaluation will help provide the criteria or standard ! for how a policy should be implemented! -As a result, information gathered from implementation can help improve ! implementation efforts! -Second, well done implementation evaluations can help keep service providers ! or other agencies accountable! ! -Help identify who and what is the weakest link! ! -In the long run, this may make or break a policy! -Third, good implementation evaluations can be used to measure whether or not ! the policy actually has an effect on the problem! ! -This information will be important when conducting outcome and impact ! ! evaluations! ! -Also help avoid labeling a policy ineffective too quickly! ! ! -Policies may have more long-term than short-term effects ! ! ! depending on the type of services providedAre Current CJ Policies Implemented Well?! -Little is known about how well mainstream CJ policies are implemented! ! -A major reason for this is because several decision-makers are involved ! ! in CJ process! ! ! -Judges! ! ! -Lawyers! ! ! -Correctional staff! ! ! -Probation officers! ! ! -Parole officersKey Points to Remember! -Implementation Evaluations:! ! -Can help design an intended policy;! ! -Create ways to make sure the policy is implemented accordingly;! ! -Create assessments to keep service providers accountable and;! ! -Inform impact evaluationsPrisoner Reentry! - “All activities and programming conducted to prepare ex-convicts to return ! safely !to the community and to live as law abiding citizens.” Joan Petersilia ! (2003)! -Based on this definition, reentry could be based on:! ! -Time spent during confinement ! ! ! -Treatment program participation! ! -Time after confinement! ! ! -Program participation or support inmates receive when they are ! ! ! released! -Canadian Model! ! -Research by Andrews and Bonta (1998) uncovered that cognitive ! ! behavioral therapy produced reductions in recidivism! ! ! -Important component was addressing individual offender ! ! ! differences (e.g., race, sex, age, IQ)! ! ! -Static Risk --> Dynamic Needs --> Treatment Matching --> ! ! ! Services/Controls --> Improved Outcomes! -U.S. Model! ! -Focuses more on environmental influences that may increase the ! ! likelihood of recidivism! ! ! -Employment opportunities! ! ! -Deviant peers! ! ! -Lack of social support! ! ! -Negative family influences! -Over 700,000 offenders are released every year in the U.S.! -Fortunately, the federal government has invested a considerable amount of ! money to develop new reentry programs! ! -Over $100,000,000 between 2001 and 2004 (Petersilia, 2004)! -However, many of these programs have not been evaluatedIdeal Model for Reentry Programming!! -Canadian Model + U.S. ModelNeeds for Prisoner Reentry! -High recidivism rates! ! -Reduce the frequency of recidivism! ! -Decrease the prisoner population! -Unaddressed offender problems when released! ! -Mental health, aggression, poor cognitive skills, etc.! ! -This, in turn, may impact the offender’s welfare and the welfare of others! ! -May also effect the welfare of the communities offenders return toTheory for Prisoner Reentry Programs! -Social support theory! ! -Provide inmates with tools to:! ! ! -Gain employment! ! ! -Deal with mental health issues! ! ! -Deal with physical health issues! ! ! -Avoid reoffending! ! ! -Become self-sufficientImplementation of Prisoner Reentry Programs! -Beginning in prison! ! -Visitation! ! -Life Skills programs! ! -Employment workshops! ! -Educational programs! ! -Cognitive Behavioral Therapy! -Programs that offer offenders support for when they are released and reenter ! society! ! -Cognitive Behavioral Therapy! ! -Community supervision! ! ! -Tailored to individual needs! ! -Substance abuse programs! ! -Training school communitiesOutcome Evaluation of Prisoner Reentry Programs! -Visitation! ! -Inmates are visited more frequently over the course of their sentence are ! ! less likely to recidivate! -Life Skills Programs! ! -Evidence indicates that