Psycho-Social Factors as Predictors of Success in a Work-Release Program

Abstract

This study was undertaken to investigate the predictive value of social and environmental historical factors as a determinant of the rehabilitative potential of an inmate as measured by his success in completing satisfactorily a Narcotic Antagonist Work-Release Program.

The N.I.D.A. Psycho-Social Inventory¹ taken from forty clients were objectively scored by category. The categories studied were general background (religion, education, etc.), family, work, criminal and drug history. Statistical correlation was sought by category with the subject's objective jail score reflecting success in the jail program. Means of jail scores of extreme groups (fifteen highest and fifteen lowest subjects) were compared with their category scores using the t-test. Only the work factor reached significance at a level of .05. Further analysis of the work factor showed that both of its components (length of employment and proximity to incarceration) were required to achieve significance.