The evaluation of detention center
programs is one of the most critical responsibilities for a detention center
evaluator. The effective management of these programs is essential to ascertain
their responsivity in a detention center’s operations and foster correction
among the detainees. The Ak-chin detention center houses inmates convicted of
less serious offenses for a period not exceeding a year, as intimated by Inmate
Locator (2020). Consequently, it is imperative to understand the nature of the
programs used in the facility to gain awareness of how they are designed,
implemented, and evaluated for their effectiveness. The information provided in
the ensuing section is a summary of an interview conducted with Jose Arteaga,
the detention center’s evaluator. The interview focused on examining his role
in assessing the center’s programs as the detention director and senior
officer. As discussed in this paper, the effectiveness of a detention center’s
programs is incumbent on the program evaluator’s competency in designing,
implementing, and evaluating the programs’ effectiveness in attaining the
center’s operational objectives.
Interview
Analysis
Mr. Arteaga’s remarks
underscore the significance of understanding the fundamental issues involved in
evaluating a detention center’s programs. Some examples of such issues as
articulated by Arteaga include the nature and reason for the evaluation, the
appropriate approaches, tools, and plans for executing the evaluation, and other
pertinent practical concerns. Such concerns include the evaluator’s
responsibilities, roles, ethics, resources, clients, and how they influence
evaluation. The implication is that an evaluator can only attain a more
comprehensive understanding of different programs’ significance, limitations,
and alternative solutions to varied problems if they successfully identify and
evaluate such fundamental concerns.
Engaging Arteaga revealed
that evaluating detention center programs entails first identifying genuine
projections on what a particular program can accomplish, as also intimated by
Liddell, Clark, and Starkovich (2020). The second step entails generating a
comprehensive program plan that becomes the evaluation plan’s basis. The
development of a practicable evaluation plan follows, and the plan must
identify the primary process and result measures to resolve pertinent
evaluation questions. The evaluator then uses their discretion to use relevant
program documents and involve program personnel to enhance data gathering efficiency.
Arteaga’s accounts
underline his ultimate role as the detention director and senior officer. He provided strategic leadership to the center’s program operations to ascertain
that they deliver the required services effectively. Accordingly, the detention
director ascertains program operational efficiency by recommending procedures,
policies, and legislation that foster the execution of the center’s mission. Therefore,
the primary responsibility is ensuring pertinent programming to satisfy the
needs of the incarcerated inmates. Arteaga implied that enhancing the
attainment of these program objectives requires the director to guide,
appraise, approve, and participate in staff-related activities, such as
employing capable staff, assessing performance, and disciplining misconduct.
Conclusion
Ultimately, this
interview revealed that a detention center director must focus on several
critical aspects of the programs used in a detention center. A program can only
be successful if the leader understands aspects of program design,
implementation, and assessment. The leader must understand the program’s
characteristics and how it meets the needs of incarcerated offenders.
Further, there is a need to know how such programs affect staff practices to
determine the kind of support required to foster effective program operation.
Program effectiveness helps determine and underpin the quality of the center’s
services and responses in addressing the institution’s and offenders’ needs to
promote capacity building among staff and offenders.