Publication Date

12-2011

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Dr. Aaron Hughey (Director), Dr. Donald Nims, Dr. Monica Burke, Dr. Anthony Paquin

Degree Program

Educational Leadership Doctoral Program

Degree Type

Doctor of Education

Abstract

This study explored the impact a modified Therapeutic Community (TC) had on reducing institutional disorder as documented by institutional write-ups. Substance abuse treatment programs are typically evaluated in terms of their ability to prevent relapse and reduce recidivism. The current study examined the efficacy of a modified TC in relation to these parameters but also explored its overall impact on prison safety and security for both the inmates and staff of a medium security prison located in Kentucky. Specifically, the number of institutional write-ups exhibited by clients participating in a modified Therapeutic Community was compared with the number of write-ups exhibited by inmates in five non-treatment units from March 2001 through October 2005. ANOVA revealed that the number of write-ups exhibited by clients in the TC were significantly lower than the number exhibited by inmates in the other five dorms [F (4, 24) = 5.61, p < 0.005]. Further, when examined by category of offense (major/minor), it was found that the write-ups of clients in the TC generally were not as severe as those exhibited by inmates in the general prison population. The implications of these findings for corrections administrators are discussed and specific recommendations are provided.

Disciplines

Education | Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research | Place and Environment | Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration | Social Psychology

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