would be offenders to the realities of prison. New Jerseys Criminal Disposition Commission has determined that these programs have a definite rehabilitative effect. They claim, that it is critical for an offenders success that they are enrolled voluntarily for at least six months and they must take advantage of the treatment services offered. If an offender follows these steps, the program can act as a catalyst for pro-social change and the development of positive attitudes (Coyle, p.7). These programs can promote change in an offender. They do not claim to cause a change in the base values of an individual, but they can act as a catalyst for this change. They attempt to provide the environment to let an individual voluntarily evolve into an acceptable member of society. The treatment services offered act as a road map for individuals to get back into a productive community role. They cannot change an individual on their own, but the hope is that if an offender is enrolled in these programs for long enough and if they have a willingness to participate in them, some lasting change should be made. The benefit of these programs alone is minimal, however.Once an offender leaves one of these custodial programs, New Jersey offers an intensive supervision program (ISP) that does have a strong correlation with reduction in recidivism rates. These ISP programs are of a greater degree of supervision than the standard parole and helps offenders acclimate back into community life. One study showed a reduction in recidivism rate of 20% for offenders who have completed ISP programs. They state, ISPs had an indirect impact on recidivism through its direct impact on offender change, offering strong support for crime control through treatment (Fulton, p. 6). Here, the criminal cycle is broken through strong support on an individual basis. The focus of these programs is to guide an offender, on a case by case basis, back into the community...
