PERCEPTIONS OF CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE POST-RELEASE OFFENDER MONITORING SYSTEM IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

Abstract

This research had the following objectives : (1) to study the level of
correctional officers' perceptions regarding the effectiveness of the Department
of Corrections' post-release offender monitoring system; (2) to examine the
perceptions of correctional officers on the effectiveness of the post-release
offender monitoring system in the Department of Corrections classified by the
officers' personal factors; (3) to identify systemic factors within the monitoring
system that affect its operational effectiveness; (4) to propose guidelines for developing and improving the post-release offender monitoring system. Data
were collected through an online questionnaire administered to a sample
group consisted of 330 correctional officers from the Department of Corrections
(Headquarters), Bang Kwang Central Prison, Klong Prem Central Prison, Bangkok
Remand Prison, Central Correctional Institution for Drug Addicts, and Central
Women's Correctional Institution. The data collection tool was a questionnaire,
and a 100% response rate was achieved. The statistical methods used for data
analysis were frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, F-test
(ANOVA), and Multiple Regression.
The research finding revealed that : 1) the majority of the respondents
were male (72.4%), aged 41-50 years (40.3%), held a bachelor's degree (63.6%),
and had less than 1 to 5 years of work experience (42.7% ) . The overall
perception of the correctional officers regarding the effectiveness of the postrelease offender monitoring system was at a high level, with a mean score of
4.11. 2)Differences in personal factors did not significantly affect the officers’
perceptions on the effectiveness of the three main monitoring systems: Watch
List, JSOC, CARE Center (Center for Assistance to Reintegration and
Employment) system. 3)However, specific systemic factors, including the type
of offense, the duration of the monitoring period, the number of re-offenses,
vocational training, and the presence of post-release employment were found
to significantly influence officers' perceptions of the system's effectiveness.
These factors collectively accounted for 66.10% of the variance in the officers’
perceptions, indicating their substantial influence on the perceived operational
efficiency of the post-release offender monitoring system.