How Effective Are Volunteers?

Abstract

This paper reviews the major findings on formal methods of rehabilitation in the courts and correction and compares them with ratings of effectiveness assigned to an informal method, the use of volunteers.

An evaluation was made of over 250 reports, monographs, memos, etc., purporting to evaluate volunteer programs. Each study was analyzed for (1) specificity of program structure, (2) reliability and validity of the measurement procedures employed, (3) strengths and weaknesses of the research design, and (4) utility of the evaluation results for policy rela tive to decision-making. Only ten reports dealing with impact on clients were found to have policy utility. Volunteers were found to be at least as effective in accomplishing their objec tives (reducing recidivism, improving self-concept, etc.) as formal methods of rehabilitating offenders. Suggestions for improvements o f research are offered.