Military corrections, spawned as the result of problems in penology, is currently affected more by its place in the military than by its niche in corrections. Austere resources and the transition to an all-volunteer constabulary force have focused attention on correctional expenditures. However, prior inquiries have focused on the costs of confinement, while ignoring alternative means of handling offenders and often conflicting correctional goals. This study attempted to identify possible changes to the overall military corrections system and determine which are cost effective and feasible. Methodologically, the research entailed ex post facto research, coupled with unstructured observations. Program evaluations and observations provided original data; assessments of evaluations allowed consideration of more material than was directly possible during the time allotted for the effort. Adoption of a crime prevention model and development of a correctional decision model provided structure to the research. Investigation revealed that there are a variety of means whereby correctional expenditures can be decreased, without significant adverse consequences to society, military discipline, or criminal recidivism. These include adaptation of new correctional approaches and modifications within the existing system. Several other general and specific conclusions resulted in the formulation of a decisional matrix, which can be used as an aid in evaluating various correctional alternatives. The inquiry also revealed a lack of a clearly defined correctional objective, which detracts from cost effective or cost benefit analysis of the options available to the military, as well as other issues warranting further exploration.

ADA 058575 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)