The article entitled “ Drug Offenders’ Perceptions of Motivation. The Role of Motivation in Rehabilitation and Reintegration” by Lior Gideon is associated with a number of strengths and weaknesses. Firstly, it should be noted that the paper is worth reading because it inform us on the importance of motivation on treatment retention and successful rehabilitation. The article adopted appropriate qualitative method design. It uses a phenomenological approach to analyzing narratives from semistructured interviews with inmates participating in a prison-based therapeutic community. This is the most appropriate design as far as the study is concerned.
Sampling is the only area that is not good. First, the sample used is small. Second, the method used to select participants is not appropriate. The initial list of participants was selected using a proportional random sampling technique. This list was used to identify potential and relevant participants without creating a bias. 22 participants who were rearrested or reincarcerated after their release from the Sharon Prison–based therapeutic community were interviewed.
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The data collection process is appropriate. The researchers use semi-structured interviews to collect the data. Open-ended questions were also used. The researchers did independent and objective analysis and there is limited bias. The data was then analyzed using phenomenological design. The results were clearly documented. The direct quotations from the participants were included in the result section. The results are classified into different themes based on the theories used. The discussion section is effectively done as it integrates the findings from the study with existing theories.
The article entitled “ Preventing Parolees from Returning to Prison Through Community-Based Reintegration ” by Zhang et al intends to evaluate the effectiveness of the Preventing Parolee Crime Program (PPCP) program in reducing recidivism and reincarceration. The researchers had to compare the recidivism rate for those participants who have participated in PPCP program and those who have not. The data was obtained from the Offender-Based Information System (OBIS) and the Statewide Parole Data Base (SPDB). The treatment group comprises those who have participated in the program. The control group comprises those who have not participated in the program. The sampling strategy is effective because it is based on existing data. The analysis is also objective and free from bias. The multivariate linear modeling approach was used to analyze the information. A number of themes emerged based on the goals and objective of the study. Each theme was comprehensively addressed. The discussion is also comprehensive as it integrates the findings and the relevant theories.
The article entitled “ Evaluation of the Positive Re-Entry in Corrections Program: A Positive Psychology Intervention with Prison Inmates ” by Huynh et al evaluates the impact of Positive Re-Entry in Corrections Program on offenders’ levels of gratitude, life satisfaction, and hope. The goal of the study is clearly indicated. The hypotheses are also identified. One group participated for 8 weeks and the other group for 12 weeks. Data was collected before and after the intervention. The data collected was thoroughly analyzed to ensure that there is no bias. Kolmogorov–Smirnov Statistic method was used. ANOVA was also used to explore the significance of variables. The study, however, has a number of weaknesses. First, it is non-experimental. Second, it has limited internal validity. In addition, because self-selection was used, external validity is also limited. The sampling process is also not effective. This is because flyers were used. This means that those who volunteered may have been more pro-social and open to opportunities for change. Random selection and random assignment may also affect the reliability of the findings.
The article entitled “ What Shall I Do Now? Released Offenders’ Expectations for Supervision upon Release ” by Lior Gideon has a comprehensive introduction and literature review. Lior Gideon did a comprehensive review of the existing literature and identify the problem based on the existing gap (Gideon, 2009). Concerning methodology, there are a number of aspects worth noting. The study used the interview to collect data. This was the appropriate method. However, the only problem is that the sample used is small. The sample used may not allow generalization of the findings. The findings and discussion section is also not comprehensive. There are no specific themes identified. The issue of bias is also likely to affect the result because of lack of appropriate themes.
The article entitled “ OPTIONS for Preparing Inmates for Community Reentry: An Employment Preparation Intervention ” by Fitzgerald et al aims at testing the effectiveness of a research-based, employment-focused group counseling interest (OPTIONS). It is quantitative in nature. The researchers did a comprehensive literature review and identified appropriate theories governing the program. The hypotheses for the study are also clearly identified. The sampling strategies used are effective. First, the sample size is good. 77 participants took part in the study. The sample was also subjected to a number of tests. Variables are clearly indicated and defined. The findings from the study are subjected to thorough statistical analysis, which entails the use of ANOVA. The discussion section is also effective because all the key variables under the study are reviewed and discussed in accordance with the results found.
References
Fitzgerald et al. (2012). OPTIONS for Preparing Inmates for Community Reentry: An Employment Preparation Intervention. The Counseling Psychologist 41(7) 990-1010.
Gideon, L. (2009). What Shall I Do Now? Released Offenders’ Expectations for Supervision upon Release. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology . 53 (1) 43-56.
Gideon, L. (2010). Drug Offenders’ Perceptions of Motivation. The Role of Motivation in Rehabilitation and Reintegration. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology . 54 (4) 2010 597-610
Huynh et al. (2015). Evaluation of the Positive Re-Entry in Corrections Program: A Positive Psychology Intervention with Prison Inmates. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology 2015, Vol. 59(9) 1006–1023
Zhang et al. (2006). Preventing Parolees from Returning to Prison through Community-Based Reintegration. Crime & Delinquency , 52 (4), 2006 551-571 DOI: 10.1177/0011128705282594
