Department of Justice, the American Probation and Parole Association, and academic and/or newspaper articles.
Follow the steps listed below to write your research paper.
Step 1—Visit the ProgramsVisit the websites of the following three reentry programs:
Federal Prison Industries/UNICOR
https://www.bop.gov/inmates/custody_and_care/unicor_about.jsp
Safer Foundation
https://www.guidestar.org/profile/36-2762168
Prison University Project at San Quentin
https://www.mttamcollege.org/about/our-story/
When reviewing these programs, be sure to look closely at their mission statements, goals, events, statistics, and how they benefit both prisoners and the community.
Step 2—EvaluateOnce you’re familiar with each program, dig deeper into how each adheres to the goals of reentry discussed in your course. These goals are:
To protect and prepare—Providing counseling, substance abuse help, job training, and so on
To control and restore—Offering post-release services to smooth the individual’s transition
To sustain and support—Offering long-term support through social service agencies and community-based organizations after parole is completed
Evaluate the services offered by each of the three programs to see which goals of reentry they include and which they lack, if any. While evaluating these programs, ask questions such as the following:
What are the conditions commonly attached to the programs’ supervision?
What are the responsibilities of the probation officer and leaders of the reentry program?
How, if at all, is the community involved in the reintegration of the offender?
How is each program specifically designed to affect recidivism and benefit both the inmates and the general public?
Step 3—ResearchYour next step will be to supplement your initial evaluation with research regarding the three programs listed in the previous section and similar programs in the field. For work experience services, for example, research facts such as the average rate inmates are paid in other work programs, what types of jobs are offered, and how work programs affect recidivism rates. For education services, research the types of education services offered in other programs, how many inmates enroll in and complete such programs, and how many inmates go on to find work after serving their sentences.
Remember: your goal is to go beyond the first impression of the program and form a critical analysis of whether or not the program is effective within the goals of reentry. As stated at the beginning of this section, at least three reputable sources are required.
Step 4—Write Your PaperWith a clear understanding of each of the three reentry programs and your research in hand, it’s time to start writing. Organize your paper according to the following general outline.
First Paragraph—Introduction
In your introduction, aim to engage the reader in the topic of reentry. Use an interesting statistic or fact you learned in your research, and give a brief summary of reentry and its goals.
Body Paragraphs—Summaries and Evaluations
In the body of your paper, dedicate two to three paragraphs each to summarizing and evaluating each of the three programs. In your summary, explain the program as if the reader has only a basic understanding of the field of corrections. Include as many details as you can find about each program.
Your evaluations should contain your research as well as an analysis of the perceived effectiveness of each program. After researching more in depth, do you think each program would be effective as designed? Why or why not? How, if at all, can each be improved?
Conclusion
In your final paragraph, compose a general statement that effectively summarizes your body paragraphs. What type of program did you find to be most effective in your research? Which program that you researched do you think would work best, and why? Or, do you feel that any of these programs could be used together with another program to provide a better reentry plan?
Writing GuidelinesType your paper using standard one-inch margins in 12-point Times New Roman or Calibri font. Write three to five pages, double-spaced.
Include on the title pageThe title of the paper
Your name
Your address
Your student number
The course name and number
The research project number
Research the programs carefully, and address the issues requested (see previous sections).
Be specific to the given topic.
Include a citation page, referencing the websites, newspaper articles, research data, or journal articles that were used to write your paper.
Proofread your work carefully, paying close attention to the following areas of your writing:Spelling
Punctuation
Grammar
Flow of content
Proper format of citations and references
Grading RubricYour project will be scored according to the following rubric.
CategoryExcellentGoodSatisfactoryUnsatisfactoryIntroductionThe introduction captures the reader’s attention, providing a clear, specific, and unique thesis statement.
5 POINTSThe introduction captures the reader’s attention and provides a general thesis statement.
4 POINTSThe introduction introduces the topic but doesn’t capture the reader’s attention or lacks a thesis.
3 POINTSThe introduction isn’t evident or doesn’t appropriately introduce the topic.
2–0 POINTSContentThe three programs provided are summarized and evaluated. Body paragraphs support the thesis statement and are consistent with the central idea of the project. Research is used consistently and equally throughout the project to support each paragraph’s main idea.
40–35 POINTSThe three programs are discussed but aren’t all summarized or evaluated effectively. Research is missing from one or more program evaluations.
34–30 POINTSThe three programs are all discussed, but summary or evaluation isn’t evident for one or more programs. Research is used sparingly or doesn’t aid in the evaluation.
29–26 POINTSAll three programs aren’t discussed. Summaries and evaluations of each program aren’t evident. Research is lacking, or disreputable sources are used.
25–0 POINTSOrganizationIdeas have been arranged logically and flow smoothly. A clear introductory paragraph, body, and conclusion are included. Transitions are used between paragraphs to successfully connect main ideas.
15–13 POINTSMost ideas have been arranged logically and flow smoothly, with some exceptions. An introductory paragraph, body, and conclusion are included. Transitions are used between most paragraphs to successfully connect main ideas.
12 POINTSSome ideas aren’t presented in logical order. Some paragraphs lack transitions. The introduction, body, and conclusion aren’t clearly separated.
11–10 POINTSIdeas don’t follow a logical order. Transitions between paragraphs or ideas aren’t present. There’s no separation between the introduction, the body, and the conclusion.
9–0 POINTSGrammar/ Mechanics/ FormatThe research project is free of grammatical and mechanical errors. The wording is accurate and precise. The paper is double-spaced, typed in 12-point standard font, and is three to five pages in length.
15–14 POINTSThe research project contains some spelling or mechanical errors that don’t significantly distract the reader. The paper is double-spaced, typed in 12-point standard font, and is three to five pages in length.
13 POINTSThe research project contains many spelling or mechanical errors that affect the reader’s ability to read the paper. The paper doesn’t use 12-point standard font but is three to five pages in length.
12–11 POINTSThe research project contains many spelling or mechanical errors to the point of illegibility.
10–0 POINTSConclusionThe conclusion restates the thesis statement, adding details provided in the body paragraphs to create an effective summary of the project’s main points.
15–14 POINTSThe conclusion restates the thesis statement, adding some details from the body paragraphs.
13 POINTSThe conclusion incorporates some details from the body paragraphs but doesn’t tie back to the thesis statement.
12–11 POINTSThe conclusion isn’t present or evident or doesn’t effectively summarize the main points or thesis statement.
10–0 POINTSWorks Cited/ SourcesThe research project incorporates three or more reputable sources. The sources are correctly cited in the body of the paper, and care is taken to avoid plagiarism. Sources are listed in correct APA format on a separate Works Cited page at the end of the paper.
10 POINTSThe research project incorporates three reputable sources. The sources are cited in the body of the paper, and care is taken to avoid plagiarism. Sources are cited in APA format on a separate Works Cited page but contain some errors in formatting.
9 POINTSThe research project incorporates three reputable sources, but sources aren’t directly cited or are improperly cited in the body of the paper. Sources are cited on a Works Cited page with many formatting errors.
8 POINTSThe project doesn’t contain any cited sources, or the sources aren’t appropriate for a research project. Sources aren’t correctly cited in the body of the paper. Sources aren’t listed on a Works Cited page.
7–0 POINTS