The Neglect of Racial Responsivity: an Examination of Why Race Matters in Correctional Treatment
Year: 2007
Type: article
Abstract: Three decades of literature reviews, meta-analyses, and program evaluations have shown that correctional rehabilitation can work.The most effective treatment approaches and techniques in correctional rehabilitation have been assembled into what is called the "Principles of Effective Intervention" (Andrews et al., 1990;Gendreau, 1996;Andrews & Bonta, 2003).Since there is indication that programs that follow the Principles of Effective Intervention are not as effective with non-Whites as they are with Whites (Van Voorhis et al., 2002;Robinson, 1995), this work asks whether racial responsivity should be considered an element of effective correctional treatment.This work is an extension of Van Voorhis and colleagues' (2002) Georgia Cognitive Skills Experiment, which found a significant reduction in recidivism for White but not African American parolees after participation in a correctional treatment program.The present study used an experimental design to assign 937 male parolees to a treatment group that received the Reasoning & Rehabilitation program or to a control group that did not receive the program.Two-way and three-way interactions were analyzed using discrete-time event history analysis.Personality, employment status at incarceration, the gender of the parole officer, adherence to program integrity, and assessed relevance of the treatment program were found to explain why the program was effective for Whites but not for African Americans.These findings supported the main argument in this work: Racial responsivity is an important facet of the Responsivity Principle.Since African American offenders continue to be disproportionately represented in correctional populations (Harrison & Beck, 2003), these findings support for the need for more research in the area of racial responsivity.sincerely thank the members of my dissertation committee.Pat Van Voorhis, my dissertation advisor, played a central role in the conceptualization and completion of this work.And, she taught me several important skills in the process: (1) keep it simple, (2) keep it clear, and (3) keep it moving.My dissertation committee brought a considerable degree of expertise in correctional rehabilitation to the table.I consider myself lucky to have these researchers' input.This work would not be what it is without them.Edward Latessa offered immediate feedback-and considering his hectic travel schedule, this must not have been an easy feat.Frank Cullen provided important words of support and substantive concerns over my approach to larger questions.Paula Smith and I had extensive discussions that influenced the progression of this work.As well, John Prevost, beyond our discussions, provided whatever data I needed.Thank you all for your contributions to this dissertation.I would also like to thank my statistical consultant, P. Neal Ritchey.Without his expertise, this project would have suffered.I learned a great deal from him, and consider myself lucky to have had his attention.His selflessness was unmatched and I am a better researcher because of him.And, as important, I now consider him my friend.I am indebted to friends and family for the emotional support that they provided to make this work a reality.First, I'd like to thank Tamara D. and Vicki Madensen for taking care of me during my travels back to Cincinnati.You two are like sisters to me.As well, I'd like to thank Emily J. Salisbury for her early reading of this work.Her comments and words of encouragement helped me during a particularly sluggish period in my writing.I would like to
Author: Georgia V. Spiropoulos
Institution: University of Cincinnati
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2602529340