Over the past twenty years, a remarkable concentration of energy and talent has been devoted to finding and testing rehabilitation programs in corrections. Relatively ignored in this research has been the behavior of public officials who are responsible for implementing treatment policies. The present study attempts to examine the conditions under which the successful implementation of treatment programs is most likely to occur. Based on survey data, the study reveals that public officials demonstrate little opposition to the rehabilitative ideal. However, contemporary research also indicates that the complexity of correctional bureaucracy foreshadows the effort to cure criminal offenders. Therefore, an alternative implementation strategy is suggested for modern-day professionals who are seriously dedicated to rehabilitation. Finally, personal implications of the alternative model are discussed.
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