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Evaluation of the Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff's Pre-Release/Work-Release Program for Women

NCJ Number
82080
Author(s)
A P Selmore
Date Published
1981
Length
42 pages
Annotation
This report evaluates the Women's Prerelease/Work Release Program set up in Orleans Parish, La., to provide rehabilitative services in a separate facility for nonviolent female offenders awaiting release from prison.
Abstract
Data analysis indicates that during the evaluation period (June 1980 to September 1981) the program achieved limited success. Although the program accepted the required number of participants, it failed to bring in offenders having between 3-6 months left to serve before release. Job placement was erratic, and participants' progression through the three-phase prerelease model was inadequate. Goals regarding participation in community service activities, restitution payments, skills seminars, and other program facets were generally met. However, the program appeared to evolve into a minimum wage/low skill/short-term employment program for women, with some counseling and community work. The time requirement for program acceptance should be eliminated, job placement time limits should also be eliminated, and vocational testing and training should be instituted. The structure of and behaviors expected at each phase of the prerelease model are explained in the appendix. Footnotes and tables are provided.