0 - National Criminal Justice Reference Service

an evaluation study can be linked with a specific set of program descriptors (e.g., duration,
intensity, primary treatment approach, program performance measures, etc.).
Offender-Based Treatment Databases. Prior and current efforts by DOC to establish and
develop computerized, offender- bused treatment databases will strongly facilitate future
evaluation efforts. In general, efforts to develop overall information system capacities regarding
offender program participation will enhance offender monitoring, treatment integration and
communication, and research on the effects of participation in various combinations of prison- and
community-based treatment programs.43
Finding: At the time of this study, there was a lack of computerized data on several measures
(e.g., admissions and discharges fiom prison-based treatment programs, participation in aftercare
treatment) that would facilitate program evaluation.
0 Recommendations:
9. Correctional, parole and probation officials should ensure that appropriate levels of
aftercare treatment are being identified and provided to inmates upon their release from
prison. DOC and PBPP administrators should work together to further develop and
strengthen automated procedures for tracking inmate post-release behavior and
compliance with conditions of supervision.
10. DOC should continue to strongly support the development of offender-based treatment
information systems. In response to previous recommendations, DOC recently completed
development of a Unit Management System that captures diverse aspects of offender
program participation. For example, this database includes an inmate’s name and number,
0
43 Because aftercare treatment may interact with other variables such as employment to influence
recidivism (e.g., Knight, Simpson and Hiller, 1999; Martin,Butzin, Sawn and Inciardi, 1999), it
would be desirable for correctional and parole agencies to collect and report computerized data
on such variables.
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This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not
been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s)
and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.