SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF PROBATION PROGRAMS - AN EVALUATIVE STUDY

Five specialised programs within one probation agency were evaluated i n terms of their short-term effects upon offender clients. The program s were (1) a psychoeducational training course for drink-driving offen ders; (2) a structured activity program for offenders with convictions for autocrime; (3) a probation Day Centre; (4) a cognitive training p ackage; and (5) a groupwork program for women offenders. Evaluative ma terial included (a) descriptive information on the aims and contents o f programs; (b) criminological data on clients; (c) monitoring data on attendance and dropout rates; and (d) pre- and posttest performance o n a range of knowledge, attitudinal, and skills-based measures. Client s on each program were compared with control samples in custody or on Community Service Orders in a quasi-experimental design. Results are i nterpreted in the light of meta-analytic reviews of offender treatment -outcome research.