Abstract
This paper explores an article that presents the exploratory research by Lambert and Hogan entitled 'Possible Antecedents of Correctional Staff Work on Family Conflict' and reported in a 2006 "Professional Issues in Criminal Justice: A Professional Journal". The author points out that the nominal level of measurement was the control variables labeled "Personal Characteristics", such as gender, age and position. The paper reports that the measures of the variables, other than those of the personal characteristics, were on a sliding scale, which could not be interpreted as ordinal data or variables. The author reports that the independent variables were the level of job danger, role ambiguity, role conflict, instrumental communication (performance feedback), integration, input to decision-making, supervision, job variety and organizational fairness; the dependent variable of work on family conflict was rated at several different levels.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Nominal Data / Nominal Variables
Ordinal Data / Ordinal Variables
Interval Data / Interval Variables
Ratio Data / Ratio Level Variables
Methodology of Research
Proposed Version of Similar Research

From the Paper
"The goal of yielding a bounty of ratio data would require an expansion of the dependent variable on the survey. In the present research, work on home conflict was limited to nine items varying from time conflict to strain or harm to family life. The researchers determined that only five of the independent variables had a statistically significant influence upon work on home conflict If it is desired to obtain more ratio data, then a new survey should be prepared emphasizing the five areas most likely to antecede work on home conflict and of those items rate the level of each area of work on home conflict established by the first survey."

Tags:scale, antecedents, explanatory, survey, ethnic

Abstract
The paper reviews a study done on one mid-western correctional facility that explored the possible antecedents of correctional staff work on family conflict. The paper examines the measures of validity and reliability, as well as proposed changes in methodology for increased validity and reliability. The paper also looks at methodology for the reliability of future studies.

Outline:
Part 1: Validity and Reliability in General
Face Validity
Content Validity
Criterion Validity
Predictive Validity
Construct Validity
Alternate-Forms Reliability
Inter-observer Reliability
Inter-item Reliability
Part 2: Improvements in Reliability and Validity
Replication of the Study

From the Paper
"Self reporting studies are inherently, unless carefully crafted, in the areas of validity and reliability. When reviewing validity, the three measurement areas of idiosyncratic individual errors, generic individual errors, and method factors are all difficult to overcome in self reported studies. The perception of self and of surroundings can be as varied as the individuals self reporting the results to the researchers. Further, the motivation to be completely accurate and candid with the researchers is not evident, especially in this case where the researchers were paying for the results. The researchers chose to study only one correctional facility, and of the 450 possible respondents, received only 275 responses. (Lambert & Hogan, 2006, p.21) These factors lead to the low levels of validity and reliability further explored below."

Tags:validity, reliability, replication, methodology

Abstract
This paper reviews a study from the 2006 Professional Issues in Criminal Justice: A Professional Journal entitled "Possible Antecedents of Correctional Staff Work on Family Conflict." The paper explains that the study was conducted on one Midwestern correctional facility. The different measures of validity and reliabliity are reviewed and discussed. The methodology of the study and possibly ways to improve it are proposed. Finally, the methodology for repeatablity is proposed.

From the Paper
"This paper shall review a study done on the possible antecedents of correctional staff work on family conflict. This study was conducted on one mid-western correctional facility. The measures of validity and reliability shall be explored. Proposed changes in methodology for increased validity and reliability shall also be explored. Finally, methodology for repeatability for future studies shall be explored."

Tags:prison, guard, psychology, trauma, jail

Abstract
This paper presents an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter review of Rodolfo Acuna's work, "Occupied America: A History of Chicanos," in which the author explores the people and civilizations that once occupied the land that is now Mexico and the southwestern United States. The paper discusses the content of each chapter and presents a summary of its main points.

Table of Contents:
CHAPTER 1: Not Just Pyramids, Explorers, and Heroes
CHAPTER 2: Legacy of Hate: The Conquest of Mexico's Northwest
CHAPTER 3: Remember the Alamo: The Colonization of Texas
CHAPTER 4: Freedom in a Cage: The Colonization of New Mexico
CHAPTER 5: Sonora Invaded: The Occupancy of Arizona
CHAPTER 6: California Lost: America for Euroamericans
CHAPTER 7: The Building of the Southwest: Mexican Labor 1900-30
CHAPTER 8: The Roaring Twenties: The Americanization of the Mexicano
CHAPTER 9: Mexican American Communities in the Making: The Depression Years
CHAPTER 10: World War II: The Betrayal of Promises Made
CHAPTER 11: "Happy Days": Chicano Americans under Siege
CHAPTER 12: Goodbye America: The Chicanos in the 1960s

From the Paper
"The final two main points of the chapter focus on the Delano Grape Strike of 1965, and the formation of a Chicano identity. The Delano strike started in California as a demand for equal pay from farmers for equal work. This strike eventually led to the formation of the United Farm Workers of America, and lead to Cesar Chavez, the leader of the strike, becoming somewhat of a folk hero to not only Mexican-Americans, but minorities and the working class in general. The second point of the chapter is to outline the Chicano identity movement, which was an attempt to reclaim the Mexican heritage that had been lost by the majority of the Chicano community through the efforts by the American government to assimilate Mexican-Americans. The chapter ends with the idea that the Chicano movement was an attempt to balance Mexican heritage with American citizenship."

Tags:civilization, Mexico, conquest, invasion

Abstract
The paper attempts to pinpoint the reasons for staff absenteeism in the prison system. The paper presents a study that uses a survey of corrections staff in a major prison facility. The paper discusses how solving the abstenteeism problem will help to improve the health, safety and well-being of staff members as well as inmates.

Outline:
Executive Summary
Problem Statement
Research Objectives
Literature Review
Methodology
Glossary of Terms

From the Paper
"Absenteeism in the correctional system reduces the efficiency of the organization. It can also be costly as well. The problems associated with absenteeism in prisons are exacerbated by rapidly rising prison populations (Dolovich, 2005). . In 1975, there were approximately 226,000 inmates in prisons across the United States (Cettinger, 1976 in Dolovich, 2005) By 1984, the population had risen to 740,000 (Hindelang Criminal Justice Research Ctr., 2004). By 2003, the prisoner population in the United States was over 2.1 million (Harrison and Beck, 2004). This dramatic rise in prison populations places the entire system under strain. Absenteeism significantly adds to this problem as staff struggle to take up the slack for those that are not at work."

Tags:guards, employees, leaves, absences, excuses, costs, productivity

Abstract
This paper discusses the difficulties when working in a correctional institution. Correctional officers are in daily contact with murders, rapists and other violent offenders. It is often necessary for such facilities to expand, or to bring in more inmates, simply because of the nature of today's society. The paper reports that these needs put increased pressure on an already strained support system. Correctional officers are often underpaid and turnover can be high in correctional facilities. Desert View Modified Community Correctional Institute has such a need to expand; however, the high rate of turnover among the correctional officers, in conjunction with the difficulty in hiring new officers, makes it difficult to maintain the staff needed for such an expansion. Such difficulty would make an expansion difficult and unsafe for the community.

Tags:california, correctional, privatization

Abstract
This paper summarizes and reviews D. Entwistle's work, "Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity." It describes the content of the text and briefly looks at the background to his beliefs. The writer then provides a response to Entwistle's work and suggests that he provides a very selective ideological focus which requires the reader to approach these excerpts with caution.

Table of Contents:
Summary
Response

From the Paper
"The text provides some admirable assistance in condensing different philosopher's views about reason and religion over a broad span of time, from the church patriarchs, to Freud, to C.S. Lewis. However, because of the author's very selective ideological focus, the reader must approach these excerpts with caution as representative of these thinkers' larger philosophies--the author has an ideological agenda of his own. Also, Entwistle's book does not reflect some recent developments in the field of neuroscience that challenges some of the assertions he makes in a blanket fashion--for example, some scientists would argue that what Entwistle sees as the innate proof of faith in the idea of God might be, evolutionary biologists argue, a naturally selected gene or defense mechanism."

Tags:patriarch, church, Freud

Abstract
This paper presents two different book reviews on the Gregory Starrett book "Putting Islam to Work." The first focuses on the educational system in Egypt and its integration of Islam in to the curriculum; the second looks at the role of Islam as an agent of social engineering in Egypt.

From the Paper
"According to Gregory Starrett author of 'Putting Islam to Work', Western observers are incorrect when they maintain that Egypt is an example of a secular government in a Muslim nation. Starrett maintains that Islam is central to the government's..."

Tags:book review, Putting Islam to Work, Gregory Starrett

Abstract
This paper explains how correctional coaching may be a cost effective alternative to firing employees. The paper states that the purpose of correctional coaching--a method of achieving both personal and professional goals--is to create the type of work environment that is both attractive and conducive to quality employees. The author lays out the steps to becoming a successful correctional coach, provides a story of an inspirational coach who helped his team post hurricane Katrina, and concludes with an example of effective peer coaching.

From the Paper
"As a correctional coach, the goal is to listen for the opportunity to guide employees into solutions that benefit the correctional setting and help the employees to establish goals or means to accomplish their ends. (Gomez 44) It is of the utmost importance to instill a positive morale amongst the work force. Gomez states that coaching is not the same as counseling, in that it is action oriented involving the implementation and subsequent accomplishment of goals. (44) The manager must of course follow the golden rule and treat the employees with respect; in this fashion it may be returned. The element of correctional coaching is also long-term, as goals are not necessarily accomplished overnight.
"As the task of being a correctional coach is consuming, there are various steps which must be taken. Initially the correctional coach must identify their idea as to the mission or ultimate goal of what they wish to establish for the organization is, and share this with their staff. Then is the observance of behavior, and upon data collection, correctional coaching would begin if needed. Areas that could use improvement are identified, alongside their goals for said improvement. Goals are defined and a plan of attack created then initiated. Along the way progress is measured and following the ultimate success a feedback process, with continual coaching to maintain motivation to ensure all areas maintain proper efficiency and do not necessitate the creation of correctional processes."

Tags:coach coaching correctional motivational, corrections coaching