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Impact of Correctional Orientation on Support for the Offender Reentry Initiative

NCJ Number
217048
Author(s)
Stephen M. Haas Ph.D.; Cynthia A. Hamilton M.S.; Dena Hanley Ph.D.
Date Published
March 2005
Length
30 pages
Annotation
This study examined the extent to which characteristics influenced the level of support for the West Virginia Offender Reentry Initiative (WVORI) among correctional staff.
Abstract
Results of this study illustrated that not all occupational subgroups of correctional staff were equally supportive of the reentry initiative. Of all correctional staff, parole officers held the least favorable views toward the West Virginia Offender Reentry Initiative (WVORI). Relative to parole officers, case managers and counselors were found to be much more supportive of the reentry initiative. Correctional staff was described in terms of both attitudes and orientation, and how these characteristics related to reentry support. Correctional staff was supportive of the use of the LSR-R (Level of Service Inventory-Revised), a standardized risk-needs assessment instrument. In addition, staff who supported the notion of rehabilitation, liked to work with others, and liked their job, were empathetic toward inmates. However, results revealed that a large majority of correctional staff had a punitive orientation toward offenders. Specific factors were identified which were predictive of reentry support: gender, age, security level of the institution, and support for the correctional goal of rehabilitation. The WVORI embodies a case management system designed to ensure the continuity and programming for serious and violent offenders from the point of intake into prison to release and reintegration back into the community. This study focused on one key aspect of program implementation, the level of support for the WVORI among the West Virginia Department of Corrections correctional staff; specifically, the influence of various demographic and employment characteristics, as well as the impact of correctional staff attitudes and orientation on support for the WVORI. Tables, references