Hi there. After searching for more information, I found out that Many treatment programs in the criminal justice system have operated without evaluations for many years, only to find out later that key outcome data are needed to justify program continuation. Hence, our team thinks it may help if we conduct also a process evaluation. Grateful if anyone could give me a clue about the directions for the process evaluation.

No problem ?

I see. Thanks!

Traditionally, process evaluation refers to an assessment of the effects of the program on clients while they are in the program, making it possible to assess the institution’s intermediary goals (see Figure 16.1 for an example of process measures used in evaluative research related to offender reentry). Process evaluation involves analyzing records related to the following:
• Type and amount of services provided
• Attendance and participation in group meetings
• Number of clients who are screened, admitted, reviewed, and discharged
• Percentage of clients who favorably complete treatment each month
• Percentage of clients who have infractions or rule violations
• Number of clients who test positive for substances (This can be compared with urinalysis results for the general prison population.)

Specifically, for a treatment program for offenders, I may further suggest your team consider the following:
• Offender behavior. Review the number of rule infractions, the cost of hearings, court litigation expenses, and inmate cooperation in general prison operations.
• Staff functioning. Assess stress levels, which may manifest in the number of sick days taken and the rate of staff turnover. Generally, the better the program, the lower the stress, and the better the attendance, the involvement, and the commitment of staff.
• Physical plant. Examine the physical properties of the program. Assess general vandalism apparent in terms of damage to furniture or windows, as well as the presence of graffiti. Assess structural damage, for example, to walls and plumbing.