EXTRADEPARTMENTAL RESEARCH PROJECTS ARE BENEFICIAL SINCE THEY PROVIDE INDIVIDUALS NOT INVOLVED IN THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS WITH A TESTING GROUND FOR IDEAS AND THEORIES THROUGH EMPIRICAL RESEARCH AND BECAUSE THEY OFFER AN OPPORTUNITY TO OBSERVE THE OPERATION AND REALITY OF THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM. IT IS THE POLICY OF THE DEPARTMENT TO ASSIST IN THE CONDUCT OF RESEARCH EFFORTS AS LONG AS THE RESEARCHER COMPLIES WITH GUIDELINES FOR EXTRADEPARTMENTAL RESEARCH. TWO RESEARCH PROJECTS WERE COMPLETED IN 1976: (1) A STUDY TO DETERMINE IF CERTAIN DEMOGRAPHIC DATA AFFECT PERCEPTIONS OF CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS WHILE DESCRIBING IDEAL AND AVERAGE INMATES, TO ASCERTAIN IF THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IDEAL AND AVERAGE INMATES, AND TO DETERMINE WHAT VARIABLES ARE IMPORTANT IN DESCRIBING CHARACTERISTICS OF IDEAL AND AVERAGE INMATES; AND (2) A STUDY TO EXAMINE ATTITUDES OF CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS AFFILIATED WITH TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TOWARD KEY TREATMENT PROGRAMS. RESEARCH INITIATED BUT NOT COMPLETED BY THE END OF 1976 INCLUDED TRAINING MATERIALS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, PROBATION, AND PAROLE TO AID IN THE IDENTIFICATION AND DIVERSION OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED OFFENDERS; THE EFFECT OF RECEIVING A GENERAL EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATE WHILE SERVING SENTENCE ON THE RATE OF RECIDIVISM; THE EFFICACY OF PAROLE; THE EFFECTS OF MATERNAL INCARCERATION ON CHILDREN; VIOLENT AND NONVIOLENT OFFENDERS; HEROIN USERS; ATTITUDES TOWARD THE LAW AND LAWYERS; INMATE SELF-CONCEPT; COMMUNITY INTEREST IN INMATES AND INMATE PROGRAMS; AND THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTONS PROMOTION PROGRAM FOR EMPLOYEES. APPENDIXES CONTAIN RESEARCH GUIDELINES, INFORMATION ON ETHICAL RESEARCH PRINCIPLES, AND A REQUEST FORM FOR RESEARCH ASSISTANCE. (DEP)