THE PRIMARY INTEREST OF THE RESEARCH WAS ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A 'THERAPEUTIC MILIEU' TYPE PROGRAM IN PRODUCING LASTING BEHAVIOUR AND ATTITUDE CHANGE. THIS WAS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH AN EXAMINATION OF THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PRE-, INTRA-, AND POST-INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON RECIDIVISM AND OTHER MEASURES OF COMMUNITY ADJUSTMENT. THE STUDY SHOWED THAT PRE-INSTITUTIONAL VARIABLES SUCH AS PRIOR CRIMINALITY, FAMILY PROBLEMS, AND DRUG OR ALCOHOL ABUSE WERE ASSOCIATED WITH LATER RECIDIVISM. THE 'QUALITY OF LIFE' WHICH THE OFFENDER FACED ON RELEASE WAS ALSO SIGNIFICANTLY RELATED TO POST-INSTITUTIONAL ADJUSTMENT. WOMEN FACING POOR EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES OR POOR FAMILY RELATIONS HAD HIGHER RECIDIVISM. FINALLY, INSTITUTIONAL VARIABLES SUCH AS LENGTH OF STAY, OR RESIDENCE AREA WITHIN THE FACILITY WERE FOUND TO BE PREDICTIVE OF RECIDIVISM. IN PARTICULAR, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE RESIDENTIAL ENVIRONMENT HAD MORE IMPACT ON ADJUSTMENT THAN DID THE VARIOUS CLINICAL PROGRAMS. BASED ON THESE RESULTS, THE AUTHORS CALL FOR INCREASED COMMUNITY-ORIENTED EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS, INCREASED COMMUNITY SERVICES TO EX-OFFENDERS, AND INCREASED DIVERSION FROM THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM.