Discusses the means of creating specialties by noncounseling professions, and examines the current status and proliferation of means for determining specializations in the counseling profession. Presents an argument, supported by research, to counter suggestions that specializations are necessary for counselor employment and competent practice…

Discusses the need for recognition and respect of counseling credentials, and suggests that the profession of counseling will be strengthened if all counselors have a minimum foundation of counseling knowledge and build accepted specializations on that foundation. The counseling profession must distinguish among work settings, professional…

In less than 25 years, licensure laws on counseling have been passed in 41 states and Washington, D.C. Although much progress has been made regarding certification and licensure, many problems remain. Provides a reaction to certification and licensure issues. (JPS)

Describes each of 20 cases briefly to show the pattern of killers who committed their crime in order to be executed. Concludes that the death penalty itself can serve as an invitation to murder, and asserts that legislators should vote against the implementation of the death penalty in order to save lives. (JPS)

Discusses results of a study in which felons at a Midwestern prison were tested for brain injury by a simple structured interview. To assess prison rule following, disciplinary tickets accrued per day were counted for "reported head injury" (n=41) and reported "no head injury" (n=41). Head injured residents were involved in disciplinary infraction…

Examines the level of moral development and empathy in adult male sex offenders. Male sex offenders (n=21) and male physical assaulters (n=30) were assessed using the Defining Issues Test and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index. Results indicate significant differences between group means and norm group means on two dimensions of empathy. (JPS)

Contains a review of research literature concerning criminality among women, focusing on causation, demographics, personality characteristics, and treatment of offenders. Major trends observed include significant differences between the criminal behavior of men and women as well as society's changing responses. (JPS)

Explores the effects of race and drug of choice among male offenders (n=53) in a minimum security prison. Results indicate that the best adjusted offenders were blacks who identified marijuana as their drug of choice, while the most poorly adjusted offenders were blacks who identified cocaine as their drug of choice. (JPS)

Reports the perceptions of female prison inmates, who ranked the importance of educational, behavior modification, and vocational programs. Programs ranked most critical were general education equivalency, adult basic education, parenting programs, life skills/cognitive self change, HIV/AIDS education, and religion. (JPS)

Examines the effectiveness of short-term cognitive-behavioral therapy with probationary and incarcerated offenders (N=107). Results showed significant changes on a Buss-Durkee guilt scale for probationary offenders, and significant changes in verbal hostility and resentment for incarcerated offenders. (JPS)

The Wild Mustang Program operated from 1988 to 1992 at a correctional facility. Inmate labor operated a horse adoption program. Findings suggest that inmate and staff perceptions about the program exceed the statistical evidence. The program was associated with a reduction in disciplinary reports. Evidence is inconclusive regarding recidivism.…

Assesses the impact of a group therapy program designed for first-time DWI (driving while impaired) offenders identified as alcohol disabled. Since completing treatment, 24% of the control group, identified as nondisabled (n=113), received subsequent DWI convictions, compared to only 11.6% of the experimental group, identified as disabled (n=33).…

Discusses a national review of pretrial diversion programs for drug-related cases; emphasizes the importance of social work involvement; and discusses the need for systematic design, development, and evaluation on these alternatives to incarceration for drug-involved offenders. (JPS)

Examines variables related to successful probation completion among 266 Tennessee felony probationers whose cases had been closed due to completion, revocation, absconsion, or sentence for a new offense. The variables of marital status, employment, educational attainment, gender, prior criminal record, level of supervision, and length of…

Describes what went on as a "Children's Plan" was being designed to meet the needs of children in a state with a very high juvenile incarceration rate. The state program was to be compared with a contemporaneous private sector program, but the private program was taken over by the state after two years, thus making comparison impossible. (JPS)