Systemic Issues and Correctional Outcomes

Abstract

Professional work in corrections is beset with issues ranging from conflicting justice-system goals, lack of resources, role confusion, ethical dilemmas, and an atmosphere often hostile to empirical research and program evaluation. The authors describe several systemic issues that impact the work of correctional psychologists and their effectiveness. Recognizing the critical need for evidence-based clinical practice, the authors argue, in addition, that the correctional psychologist's mission should be expanded to include macro-level systems issues. These include questions of social responses to crime, unintended consequences of correctional practice, the need for research on institutional policy, and methods for system-wide evaluation of correctional programs and settings. The authors describe the nature and scope of each issue and offer a suggested research agenda.