Implementation Evaluation of Two DOC Initiatives: Reentry Workbook Program & Program Fidelity Project

1. Implementation Evaluation of Two DOC Initiatives: Reentry Workbook Program & Program Fidelity Project Marcia Hughes, PhD, Assistant Director Matthew Sagacity Walker, Field Researcher Center for Social Research, University of Hartford

2. The Research Behind the Program Initiatives: Best Practices • Target criminogenic needs: Those that are directly linked to crime (Andrews & Dowden, 1999) • Match intensity of the treatment to the risk level of the offender: Provides “tools” for individualized reentry plan: (Lowenkamp & Latessa, 2004) • Use a cognitive-behavioral approach: Deliver services and treatment in a manner consistent with their needs (Andrews et al., 1990)

3. What We Aim To Achieve • Identify the challenges in getting programs in place and running according to the model. • Develop capacity to measure program implementation and effectiveness. • Assess the extent to which DOC staff/clients utilize the programs and find them helpful. • Use what we learn to inform program development and training.

4. Focus of Evaluation: Implementation • What are the roles, protocols, and procedures for each program component? • Are the needed organizational support and commitment in place to offer the programs? • How is the program currently monitored? • How are agencies and services linked? Is there a shared purpose and understanding?

5. Focus of Evaluation: Utilization • What is staff’s understanding of the different components of the programs and their role? • Do staff find the program helpful in understanding people’s needs, engaging offenders & creating change? • How do offenders understand the program components, role of staff? Are they interested or motivated? Do they find programs useful? • Are services targeted for identifiable subgroups and can this be related to outcomes?

6. Evaluation Strategies • On-site observations (both program initiatives) • Interviews and focus groups with program administrators, facilitators, “front-line” staff • Interviews and focus groups with program participants: inmates, ex-offenders • Review Case Plans, Records, Reports and Workbooks

7. Your Role In the Evaluation • Participate in on-site observations, interviews and focus groups • Approx 10 halfway houses: at least 1 from each region, range in size, urban/suburb/rural • ** Introduce the study to DOC clients/ residents: script and letter for clients • Help to facilitate interviews, focus groups with DOC clients and review of records and reports

8. Evaluation Findings: Inform Program Development, Practice, & Policy • Specify range of functions, activities, and bureaucratic ‘actors’ in implementation process • Operational challenges & organizational actions needed to improve implementation • Mechanisms and measures for monitoring processes and evaluating outcomes • How to sustain an infrastructure: resources, training, policy, quality assurance

9. Contact Information • Marcia Hughes mhughes@hartford.edu, 860.768.5694 • Matthew Sagacity Walker mwalker@hartford.edu, 860.768.6012