Deck 14: Evaluating Community Corrections

Question 1

Which is NOT a limitation of measuring recidivism?

A) the definition used
B) the statistical tests used to analyze the data
C) the length of the follow-up period
D) the availability of data

Answer 1

B

Question 2

According to the text, which is NOT an element of program integrity?

A) the design of the program
B) the staff
C) the treatment interventions used
D) organizational structure

Answer 2

D

Question 3

A parolee who is returned to prison for failing to conform to the conditions of parole (but who has not committed a new crime) is:

A) usually known as a technical parole violator
B) called an absconder
C) called a habitual offender
D) usually let out after only serving a few days

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Which would NOT be considered an appropriate outcome measure to examine the effectiveness of community corrections?

A) reducing recidivism
B) reducing cost
C) reducing positive drug tests
D) reducing restitution payments

Question 5

Which is NOT an impediment to conducting research in community corrections?

A) political nature of programs
B) methodological concerns
C) financial and organizational constraints
D) statistical testing

Question 6

One problem in assessing effectiveness of community corrections centers is the difficulty in developing adequate comparison groups for follow-up studies.

Question 7

Program integrity cannot be measured.

Question 8

Offenders cannot be incarcerated for technical violations.

Question 9

The percentage of parolees returned to prison on violations is generally very low.

Question 10

According to the text, despite the need to include other outcome measures, recidivism remains the most important indicator.

Question 11

The CPC has been used extensively across the country to assess correctional programs.

Question 12

Most of the correctional programs assessed with the CPC have scored in the Very High Adherence to EBP category.

Question 13

Match each corresponding item.
-Research technique to identify treatment effects

A) meta-analysis
B) recidivism
C) literature review
D) follow-up period
E) parole violation
F) comparison group

Question 14

Match each corresponding item.
-The repetition of criminal behavior

A) meta-analysis
B) recidivism
C) literature review
D) follow-up period
E) parole violation
F) comparison group

Question 15

Match each corresponding item.
-Summary of research studies

A) meta-analysis
B) recidivism
C) literature review
D) follow-up period
E) parole violation
F) comparison group

Question 16

Match each corresponding item.
-Period in which offenders are tracked for recidivism

A) meta-analysis
B) recidivism
C) literature review
D) follow-up period
E) parole violation
F) comparison group

Question 17

Match each corresponding item.
-An infraction of a condition of supervision

A) meta-analysis
B) recidivism
C) literature review
D) follow-up period
E) parole violation
F) comparison group

Question 18

Match each corresponding item.
-Used in studies to help determine effects

A) meta-analysis
B) recidivism
C) literature review
D) follow-up period
E) parole violation
F) comparison group

Question 19

Why is it so difficult to determine whether correctional programs reduce recidivism?

Question 20

You have been asked to develop a drug-testing program for probationers. Design a study to measure its effectiveness. Make sure you list the outcome measures you would use.

Question 21

How would you measure "humaneness"?

Question 22

What the three major constraints to conducting correctional research?

Question 23

List five performance measures you would use to evaluate a halfway-house program.

Question 24

List five performance measures you would use to evaluate a drug treatment program.

Question 25

Are arrests a sufficient measure of outcome? Why or why not?

Question 26

Why is program assessment important?

Question 27

What areas are covered by the CPC?

Question 28

List three indicators of recidivism that are commonly used

Question 29

How will you define recidivism?

Question 30

How will you identify a comparison group?

Question 31

How long of a follow-up period do you recommend?

Question 32

Are there other outcome measures you would suggest including besides recidivism?

Question 33

What are some of the program characteristics that can be included to assess the program itself?