Problems and Progress in Staff Training

Abstract

Improving services through staff training programs requires a delineation of the various jobs undertaken by correctional per sonnel. In order to know what to teach and how to teach it, train ing personnel need to understand the philosophy and function of the institution and to develop specific training goals for the learners. Training programs have developed without a con sensus regarding the correctional tasks and without agreement among the disciplines as to the preparation of workers. The paper comments on progress in the training of police, probation and parole officers, judges, and institutional personnel and points to some people and programs developing useful ideas. It holds that continued progress in training is dependent upon forming clear concepts of the various correctional tasks, administrative backing, new relationships among instructors and researchers, and a productive dialogue among those concerned with restoring offenders to society.