Theses and Dissertations

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A comparative study of alcohol consumers and non-consumers at the time of the offense on adult felony probationers in Nueces County, Texas
(1977-08-01) Gonzalez, George Edward,1947-
Purpose: The purpose is two fold: to contribute to the broad realm of alcohol and crime-related research, by identifying any significant relationship between consumers of alcohol and non-consumers of alcohol at the time a felony offense was committed, and to compare the findings of this research to existing literature. Methods: the methods used in this study were: (1) the collection of data from the Nueces County Adult Probation Department’s intake questionnaire on felony probationer’s socioeconomic and demographic characteristics; (2) by dividing the study sample into two groups, consumers of alcohol at the time of offense, and non-consumers of alcohol at the time of offense; (3) comparing this information from the study sample between selected variables; (4) the two groups were analyzed by testing the ten selected variables with the phi-coefficient and chi-square; and (5) considering all results with a probability of one degree of freedom at the .05 level of significance. Results: 1. The study indicated that there were no significant differences between consumers and non-consumers of alcohol at the time of offense among the variables of age, employment, ethnicity, index crimes, martial status, military experience, occupational level, prior arrest, and sex. 2. There is a significant difference between consumers and non-consumers of alcohol at the time of offense on the variable of education.
A comparative study of the adoptions of 1960 and 1970 in Travis County, Texas
(Sam Houston State University, 1971-12) Preusse, Carol Ann,1943-; Hayes, Dorothy D.; Killinger, George G.; Weisenhorn, Donald J.
The purpose of this study was to compare the adoptions of 1960 in Travis County, Texas, to the adoptions of 1970 in the same county. The study sample was dichotomised according to year, 1960 and 1970. A table of random numbers was used to select one-third of the case histories of children adopted in each of these two years. From the case folders and Investigator's Reports of the Travis County Juvenile Court thirteen baseline characteristics of the adoptive families and the children were selected, and the dichotomized sample was crosstabulated by these. All petitions for adoption in Travis County, Texas, must be processed by the Travis County Juvenile Court before the final court hearing. The 1960 and 1970 samples were crosstabulated by six categories of adoptions. It was the intention of this study to determine any changes that have occurred in adoptions in Travis County, Texas, between 1960 and 1970, and if so, to describe these changes. It was assumed that all families whose casefolders contained a completed Investigator's Report consumated the adoption. The Travis County Juvenile Court does not maintain a complete record of the adoptions. However, once an Investigators' Report is filed in the record, the case can be assumed to be properly prepared for acceptance and consumation by the Court. It was assumed also that the baseline characteristics selected for study would have an appreciable influence on the kind of adoption in which each family would seek to participate, and thus would influence any changes that may occur in the categories of adoptions between 1960 and 1970.
A comparative study of the characteristics of juvenile Mexican-American solvent inhalation offenders and juvenile Mexican-American non-offenders in Harris County, Texas
(1974-12) Barton, Connie Balsley,1952-; Baker, Ann P.; Killinger, George G.; Shaddock, Jimmy D.
The primary purpose of this study was to identify the variables that are a significant influence in the life of the young male Mexican-American solvent inhalation offenders from Harris County, Texas. It was anticipated that the findings of the study could be used to improve the prevention and treatment methods currently used for solvent inhalation offenders. The variables examined in the study included basic data such as education level of the juvenile and number of siblings in the juvenile’s home. Information pertaining to the interaction between the juvenile and his family, teachers, and acquaintances was also obtained. Ethnic factors were examined, also, to determine which, if any, ethnic factors influenced the young male Mexican-American to sniff intoxicants. Methodology The data gathered in this study were obtained by interviewing thirty young male Mexican-American intoxicant sniffers and thirty young male Mexican-American non-sniffers. The solvent inhalation offender was defined as being a Mexican-American male between that ages of thirteen and seventeen who may have had one or more official incidents of solvent inhalation, and who had had several unofficial incidents reported by parents, teachers, relatives or by the offender himself. The youths in group one, intoxicant sniffers, and group two, non-sniffers, were matched in age. All interviews were structured through the use of a questionnaire form. Interviews were conducted by the author and staff members from Casa de Amigos Drug Abuse Agency cooperating in gathering data. Selection of juveniles to be included in the sample was done by a pseudo-random sampling technique. It was decided that this technique would provide the most representative sample from the population. The sample of offenders was derived from the offenders participating in the Casa de Amigos counseling program for the intoxicant sniffers. The sample of non-offenders was obtained from the population of Mexican-American males attending bi-weekly tryouts for the Magnolia YWCA basketball teams. After the subject were interviewed, all data was analyzed through the utilization of the Sam Houston State University computer. The continuous variables were analyzed by t-ratio analysis to determine whether there was a significant difference in the means of group one and group two on the continuous variables. The discrete variables were analyzed by chi square analysis to learn which of the discrete variables showed a significant interaction with the life of the solvent inhalation offender. All results with a probability of .05 or less were considered significant. Findings 1. The study indicates that there is a significant correlation between thirty-two variables and the life of the solvent inhalation offender. 2. There appear to be significant differences in the family life, ethnic characteristics, scholastic ability, and activities of the intoxicant offenders and non-sniffers. 3. The typical solvent inhalation offender is likely to come from a broken home where only one parent is present. The family of the offender is not close and participates in few family activities. Usually the juvenile and his parents do not communicate very well, and the juvenile wants to leave home and may have already done so several times. 4. The intoxicant sniffer is very likely to live in a Mexican-American neighborhood, and spend much time with a gang of Mexican-American friends, He usually does not get along with Anglos and feels that they discriminate against him. They typical offender is present time oriented and believes in machismo, the dominant male role of physical strength and adventurousness. 5. The scholastic ability of the solvent inhalation offender is very poor. The juvenile dislikes school competition and experiences many failures at school. Many offenders quit school, and those who attend have poor attendance records, and poor grades, also. The intoxicant sniffer is usually indifferent towards teachers and may actually dislike them. 6. The typical Mexican-American solvent inhalation offender participates in few legitimate organized activities and usually does not attend church very frequently. The juvenile has usually been involved in a number of illegal activities and may have been on probation or lived in a correctional facility.
A comparative study of the nature of guilt and responsibility in the works of O. Hobart Mowrer and William Glasser with classical Freudian theory
(1967) Wheaton, David K.,1938-; Killenger, George
Purpose: The purpose of this project was to examine the works of O. Hobart Mowrer and William Glasser and to compare their understanding of the nature of guilt and responsibility with classical Freudian theory. It was the purpose of the project to demonstrate that Freud presupposed something about the nature of man with which neither Mowrer nor Glasser agree. The research shows that nature of man is such that Freud could not deal adequately with the descriptive categories called guilt and responsibility because these are ontological categories and not scientific psychological measurable entities. The research further shows that Mowrer and Glasser presuppose that guilt and responsibility are ontological in character. Methods of Research: The procedure and method od investigation was to examine the original writings of the psychotherapists being studied. Secondary sources pertinent to the area of study were also examined. Personal interviews and taped lectures of the psychotherapists furthered the research. An investigation of pertinent pamphlets and experiments written for class and public lecture widened the investigation. This project developed along these lines: (1) examining the nature of man according to Freud (2) examining the nature of man according to Glasser and Mowrer (3) examining the nature of guilt according to Freud (4) examining the nature of guilt according to Glasser and Mowrer (5) examining the nature of responsibility according to Freud (6) examining the nature of responsibility according to Glasser and Mowrer. Findings: 1. Freud presupposed that the nature of man was homo natura and that the body is given unconditional authority in determining man’s essential being. 2. Mowrer and Glasser disagree with Freud and presuppose that the nature of man is homo sapien. Man is a bio-socio organism who can formulate interpersonal relationships and bring meaning to those relationships, and formulate moral values and systems. 3. Freud could not deal adequately with the descriptive categories “guilt” and “responsibility” because man is more than a biological machine. 4. Guilt and responsibility are ontological categories and not scientific psychological measurable entities. Guilt and responsibility are given in society and are apart of being as such. Thus they are ontological and not scientifically measurable. 5. Freud pre-supposed that guilt and responsibility were feelings caused by external conditioning. These feelings were conditioned by a powerful force he called the superego. These feelings are caused by a thwarting of the biological drives which are characterized by sex and aggression. 6. Mowrer and Glasser pre-suppose that guilt and responsibility are real. They are an external (societal) phenomenon and not just an internal (guilt feeling) phenomenon. Man is responsible for his decisions and his behavior. Responsibility and guilt are learned phenomena and reside not in the feelings of the organism, but in the reality structures of society. Thus for Mowrer and Glasser guilt and responsibility are ontological in nature—it is given in existence—and not adapted to by biological determinants.
A comparative study: two training programs for mentally retarded adults
(1976-05-01) Pugh, Michael P.,1947-
Purpose The purpose of this study was to conduct a descriptive comparison of two existing training facilities for mentally retarded adults. The two facilities are operating to provide the mentally retarded adult with the necessary work habits and social skills which will enable him to become a working, contributing member of his community. Harris County Center for the Retarded, Inc., which is located near downtown Houston, Texas, has chosen the sheltered workshop approach as its means of training the mentally retarded adult. Melwood Horticultural Training Center, Inc., which is located in a rural suburban area near Washington, D.C., trains its clients by the use of horticultural therapy. Methods A review of the literature concerning training programs for mentally retarded adults and specifically concerning the two types of approaches utilized by the agencies was conducted. The areas of interest, i.e., operation, financial aspects, and goals were identified and specific questions concerning each were developed. In order to obtain the necessary information, the operation of each agency was personally viewed and individual interviews were conducted with various personnel at each agency. Findings Even though obvious differences do exist between the two agencies in regard to the approach taken, i.e., geographic location and size of the client population, the operation, financial aspects, and goals of each are essentially the same. Two significant differences were determined through this study. First, the client/staff ratio for Harris County Center for the Retarded, Inc. is 8.83:1 and for Melwood Horticultural Center, Inc. the ratio is 2.77:1. Second, the cost per day of training a client for Harris County Center for the Retarded, Inc. is $8.90 and for Melwood Horticultural Training Center, Inc., the cost is $15.87. In conclusion, it was determined that each agency provides the mentally retarded adult with the opportunity to become a working, contributing member of his community.
A comparison of a self evaluation and an evaluation by an employer of the inmate as an employee
(1972) Murray, Frederick M.,1940-; Friel, Charles M
Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the significant difference in responses to an employee evaluation by inmate and their respective employers. The inmates completed a self evaluation on employee performance, and the employers completed a similar evaluation on the inmateâ€™s work performance. It was the aim of this study to achieve a clearer understanding of the attitude held by inmates and their past employers toward the inmateâ€™s work performance. The difference between the two evaluations would suggest a need for vocational counseling in addition to the vocational training in the various prison systems. Methods: The methods used to obtain data for this study were as follows: (1) a forty item questionnaire on job performance was develop; (2) the questionnaire was submitted to the inmate and employer sample groups; and (3) the significant difference between inmate and employer were computed by using the t test method. Findings: The findings of this investigation indicate a significant difference between the inmate and employer ratings. The data revealed that inmates tend to view themselves as better employees than do their employers. The inmates rated themselves more positive on nine out of ten variables than the employers. The employers were more positive than the inmates on ten percent of the variables. The inmates rated themselves a high positive on twenty percent of the variables. The largest single item difference between the two groups concerned doing a job not asked while at work. The inmates felt very positive about their willingness to do the job not asked, while the employer felt more negative. The other item in this high disagreement concerned the employeeâ€™s performance on the job. For example, doing oneâ€™s best on the job, doing oneâ€™s share of work, accepting responsibility, helping others on the job and calling if late for work. The largest differences between the two groups on these variables suggest this area needs to be examined by vocational counselors. The inmates were more positive than the employers on sixty-five percent of the variables. These items dealt with attitudes towards work, work suggestions and the company. For example, the inmate group felt their general physical appearance on the job was good to excellent but the employer felt it was good. Vocational counseling would make the inmate employee aware of these job attitude differences. This type of counseling could help the problem of employing ex-inmates. The two study groups were in close agreement on 7.5 percent of the variables. These three variables ere taking criticism, correcting a fellow worker, and having an open relationship with the supervisor. If both groups can agree in a positive manner on the ability to take criticism and open relationship then there is room for discussion of the problem. They agreed they had the open relationship between employer and employee and the employee felt he could take the criticism. The next step in this logical sequence would be that some employment problems between employers and ex-inmates would be a lack of communication. The study indicated both groups felt to a degree they could communicate, but apparently had not had good communications. The employers, in reversal of the study trend, rated four items more positive than the inmates. The items were: participation in group activities, gossip at work, ability to take criticism and relation to supervisor other then work. Perhaps the inmate rated himself too negative on these items. These items would be of interest in vocational counseling because they represent a reversal of the study trend. These large significant differences between inmate and employer rating on more of the variables, strongly suggest that the inmate needs vocational counseling as well as vocational training. There would be no point in sending a trained welder out to work if he could not hold a job because of his job attitude. The overall findings of the data revealed that the inmate tends to think of himself as a good, if not excellent employee. The employers indicated a more negative viewpoint of inmates as employees. This unrealistic self image of the inmate as an employee is probably a significant factor in his job failure rate. The data suggest that any vocational training without vocational counseling will be of little effect in rehabilitation. The significant difference between inmate and employer ratings indicated a constant discrepancy in the self image ratings. If there was an effective vocational counseling program in conjunction with present vocational training programs, there would be a lower recidivism rate and a higher job success rate for ex-inmates.
A comparison of institute students' declared degrees of acceptance of the ex-convict
(Sam Houston State University, 1973-08) Bradley, Mark David,1947-; Shearer, Robert A.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare Institute of Contemporary Corrections and the Behavioral Sciences students' declared degrees of acceptance of the ex-convict, as measured by a social distance scale. Population characteristics of age, sex, racial and ethnic background, undergraduate classification, undergraduate major, criminal justice work experience, family income, and interpersonal relationships with an ex-convict were investigated as specific independent variables.
A comparison of the civil statutes and the welfare department standards which govern the licensing of provate child-care institutions
(Sam Houston State University, 1974-05) Krause, Neal M.(Neal Miller); Baker, Ann P.; Killinger, George G.; Symonds, John
Data from the fifty states was compared to both the model licensing civil statutes and the model licensing standards. The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine and compare the compliance of the existing licensing civil statutes of all of the states in the United States with model licensing civil statute proposed by the experts in the field of child-care licensing; (2) to determine and compare the compliance of the Department of Public Welfare existing licensing standards of all of the states in the nation with the model licensing standards proposed b the experts in the field of child-care licensing; (3) to determine how the existing licensing civil statutes of all of the states in the United States comply wit the proposed licensing civil statute changes of Texas Attorney General John L. Hill; (4) to determine how the percentage of compliance of the Texas licensing civil statute and the Texas licensing standards, with their respective models, compares with the percentage of compliance of the licensing civil statutes and the licensing standards of the other states; and (5) to determine the coefficient of correlation between the percentage of compliance of the licensing civil statutes and the percentage of compliance of the licensing standards of the states. Methods The methods used in the study were: (1) the comparison of the existing licensing civil statutes of all of the states, found in the University of Houston Law Library, with the model licensing civil statute, found in Licensing of Child-Care Facilities by State Welfare Departments; (2) the comparison of the existing licensing standards of the states, which were obtained from the departments of public welfare of each state, with the model licensing standards, the Child Welfare League of America Standards for Services of Child Welfare Institutions; (3) the comparison of the existing licensing civil statutes with the proposed licensing civil statute changes, Report of John L. Hill, Attorney General of Texas, In re: Proposed Legislative Changes Affecting Child-Caring Institutions, and Suggested Changes in the Procedures of the State Department of Public Welfare under Present Law, Article 695c, Section 8 (a), T.R.C.S.; (4) reduce data to frequency distributions with the aid of the computer facilities at Sam Houston State University; (5) calculate the mean, median. And standard deviation for each of the three categories of data to facilitate comparison; (6) the comparison of the Texas licensing civil statute and the Texas licensing standards with the licensing civil statutes and licensing standards of the other states; and (7) calculate the coefficient of correlation between the percentage of compliance of the existing civil statutes of the states and the percentage of compliance of the existing licensing standards by substituting the data into the Pearson Product-Moment r formula. Findings 1. The mean percentage of compliance of the existing licensing civil statutes with the model licensing civil statutes was 50.26 percent. The median percentage of compliance was 51.26 percent. The standard deviation of the percentages of compliance was 12.84 2. The existing licensing civil statutes of Texas complied with 56.41 percent of the model licensing civil statutes. 3. The mean percentage of compliance of the existing licensing standards with the model licensing standards was 43.22. the median percentage of compliance was 45.43 percent. The standard deviation of the percentages of compliance was 14.39. 4. The existing licensing standards of Texas complied with 45.43 percent of the model licensing standards. 5. The mean percentage of compliance of the existing licensing civil statutes with the proposed licensing civil statute changes by Attorney General Hill was 14.76 precent. The median percentage of compliance was 13.33. The standard deviation of compliance was 8.54. 6. No significant correlation was found to exist between the percentage of compliance with the model licensing civil statutes and the percentage of compliance with the model licensing standards.
A content analysis of fifty studies done on controlled drinking by alcoholics
(Sam Houston State University, 1977-08) Shumaker, Martha Lynn,1954-; Barrum, James A.; Young, Jeanne; Shaddock, Jimmy
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine and evaluate the research that has been conducted in the controlled drinking treatment area. In order to accomplished this goal fifty chosen studies over the last twenty years were subjected to a content analysis using nine criteria. This was done in order to evaluate the research that has been done on controlled drinking to see if it has been effective in trying to show that controlled drinking for some alcoholics is a possible goal. Methods: Nine criteria were used to measure the effective-ness of the research that has been done with controlled drinking. These nine criteria were: (1) What is the relative frequency of various types of controlled drinking outcome reports in terms of research design? (2) What is the definition of alcoholism given? (3) What is the samplying procedure used and the size? (4) What is they type of agency or setting utilized? (5) Was the treatment voluntary or non-voluntary? (6) What was the length of the study? (7) What were the evaluation measures used for treatment? (8) Was there a follow-up conducted and (9) What type of treatment mode was utilized? Finally the effectiveness of the research done so far in the controlled treatment are was evaluated. Findings: From the data was gathered and evaluated for this thesis, it was found that the research done in the last twenty years on controlled drinking has not been very effective. 1. Most of the research is done by empirical observation and does not use a control group. 2. A sizeable proportion of the studies utilize non-voluntary participants. 3. All of the studies do not conduct follow-ups after treatment. 4. The type of agency or setting used for treatment varies and does not seem to have any correlation with a controlled drinking outcome. 5. Too many of the studies utilize a small sample (under thirty participants) which would not seem to be valid in this type of research. 6. A sizeable proportion of the studies were short term instead of long term. In a sizeable proportion of the studies the researcher went back after a number of years to follow up a case he did not treat. 7. There did not seem to be any correlation be-tween treatment done and an outcome of controlled drinking. 8. Over half of the studies did not give any criteria to evaluate their program effectively. 9. None of the studies gave a definition of alcoholism.
A critical analysis of the collection and public reporting of data on drinking drivers
(1977) Callaway, Noel Dee,1915-; Barrum, James A
Purpose: The purpose of this study is two-fold. First, to present a report published by a policing agency and some possible conclusions that could be drawn from this report. Second, and more important, to demonstrate why descriptive statistics alone present a major problem in an endeavor to answer the question of how alcohol is involved in traffic crashes. Most importantly, it will show the need for some different types of analysis of the data collected in order to more accurately and dramatically illustrate the full impact of the drinking and driving problem. Methodology: The methodology used in this study was to present a set of statistical data gathered by a law enforcement agency and their report, using this data, that purported to depict some of the drinking-driver problems. The statistical data was then presented in a different form and critically analyzed to point out conclusions and misconceptions that could be reached due to the incompleteness of the data. Findings: 1. For each of the eight variables considered with the blood alcohol level of drinking drivers, a very large majority had a BAL equal to or greater than he presumptive level of intoxication. 2. Males were greatly over-represented in the drinking drivers suspected of DWI and administered a blood-alcohol test. 3. Most of the drinking drivers suspected of DWI and administered a blood-alcohol test were, what is thought by many to be, middle-aged (ages 25-54). 4. A small number of drivers involved in traffic crashes were given a BAL test. 5. The evening hours from 9:00 P.M. until 2:59 A.M. had over one-half the BAL test administered. 6. Over one-half the BAL tests were administered on Saturday and Sunday. Recommendations: 1. Legislation be enacted to support, permit, and/or require research to be made to determine extent and the degree of alcohol involvement in traffic crashes. 2. Mandatory participation in treatment programs by alcoholics who rink and drive. 3. Improve the adjudication process and the corrections process to place emphasis on the concept that drunk driving is not approved behavior. 4. Minor changes be made in the data collection procedure in order to gather additional pertinent data on drinking drivers. 5. Fuller use be made of available information to initiate programs to combat the drinking-driver problem. 6. Academics, medical personnel, police and other persons, with expertise to contribute, work together to design programs to study the extent and degree of the drinking-driver problem. 7. Countermeasure programs be constructed from the findings and proposed solutions set out in the preceding recommendation.
A descriptive study of aircraft hijacking
(1972) Turi, Robert T.,1943-; Friel, Charles; Robert B. Sheldon; John Matthews.
Aerial hijacking is a relatively new peril for the American airline industry and the millions of passengers who depart each year from American airports. Only a little over a decade has passed since the first skyjacking of an American airplane on May 1, 1961. Yet, the snowballing effect of this initial incident has been swift and dramatic, as one airplane after another is diverted to an unscheduled destination. In 1961 there was a total of five skyjackings of United States registered aircraft, which were followed by only one in 1962 and none in 1963. In 1968 activity increased with 22 aircraft being seized followed by 40 in 1969, this is the largest yearly total to date. In 1970 and 1971 there were 27 per year. So far this year, as of 1 March, 1972, we have had 6 skyjackings. This gives us a total of 134 skyjackings since 1961. The purpose of this paper was to prepare a descriptive study of all aspects of the phenomenon of skyjacking. This study includes the latest statistics on skyjacking, i.e., number of skyjackings, type of weapons, type of aircrafts, skyjackers identification and disposition or status. This paper also discusses the legal aspects, both national and international, related to this crime. The personality and emotional nature of the skyjacker is also examined. In addition, the preventive measures instituted by the government and the airline industry are discussed. Included in this discussion are the sky marshal program, the pre-board screening process and the use of electronic detection equipment. A review of the literature was the major procedure used to gather background information, especially concerning the legal aspects of this problem. The current statistics were obtained both through written correspondence and personal interviews with Federal Aviation Authority officials. Aviation journals such as Aviation Week and Space Technology were reviewed in an attempt to ascertain the technical problems that skyjacking presents for the airlines. Court proceedings were examined to determine the legality of airport searches. Government documents, Department of State Bulletins and reports to Congress concerning skyjacking were reviewed and analyzed.
A descriptive study of fraudulent checks :an investigative model
(1976) Schroeder, Larry D.,1946-; Dowling, Jerry L; Jerry L. Dowling; Billy W. Bramlett; John P. Matthews
Purpose: The purposes of this study were: (1) to evaluate the respective roles of merchants, banking institutions, and law enforcement agencies in relation to fraudulent check crime; (2) to determine why the consumer is not made aware of the extent and cost of fraudulent check crime; (3) to evaluate the investigative procedures and capabilities of law enforcement agencies assigned the responsibility of investigating fraudulent check crime; (4) to determine if the criminal justice system is organized to respond to this type of crime effectively; and (5) to develop model procedures for the investigation of fraudulent check offenses. Methods: The major procedures used to gather information in this study were: (1) a field survey was conducted in the metropolitan Houston area with large chain stores, banking facilities, collection agencies and elements of the criminal justice system at city, county and federal levels; (2) letters, requesting bibliographic and departmental information concerning investigative procedures for fraudulent checks, were sent to the fifty largest police departments based on the population served; (3) an assessment of the information obtained was performed in relation to the individual operations, inter-relationships, weaknesses and strengths of these various organizations; (5) an extensive review of the pertinent literature was conducted, including : (a) the historical development of the check; (b) the banking system established to process check transactions; (c) a review of the Uniform Commercial Code; (d) a review of written studies on check offenders; â‚¬ a review of the economic impact of fraudulent check offenses; and (f) a review of those sections of the Texas Penal Code pertaining to fraudulent check crime. Fraudulent checks are divided into two categories: (a) non-sufficient fund checks and (b) forged or altered checks. Findings: 1. Statistics pertaining to the dollar loss caused by fraudulent checks are controversial and virtually impossible to verify at this time. 2. The fraudulent check offender is a highly mobile individual who migrates within regions and is extremely recidivistic. The few studies of the check offender that exist are very old and need to be replicated to add validity to the findings. 3. In one circumstance, considerable effort has been made, over a period of years, to establish a Uniform Commercial Code. In the area of penal law every state has established its own criminal statutes coupled with differing prosecution policy. 4. The business community seeks restitution and not prosecution in all but a few instances. Interviews conducted substantiate that forgery offenses are often not reported to the police. 5. The sections of the Texas Penal Code pertaining to fraudulent checks has turned the Harris County District Attorneyâ€™s Office and the Justices of the Peace into tax supported collection agencies. 6. The criminal justice system is currently not adequately organized or prepared to cope with the fraudulent check problem. 7. The business community will not initiate adequate check cashing policies for its protection if the financial loss incurred is collected by government agencies through restitution procedures. Competition between merchants is too keen to install check-cashing policies upon customers unless the public is informed of the fraudulent check problem. The merchants are content to blame the bankers and the bankers to blame the merchants concerning this problem. The business community believes public exposure of the problem will cause a credibility drop with the consumer. 8. Offender identification is compounded by the ease with which fraudulent identification may be obtained. There is a need for federal and state governments to cross-index birth and death certificates. 9. The contention that a drivers license is not issued for the purpose of identification, but only indicates the privilege to drive an automobile, is seemingly unrealistic and out of date. 10. The federal law enforcement agencies appear to be much more sophisticated in the investigative procedures followed in identifying forgery offenders. There is a need for federal investigative agencies to provide a centralized training program to equip municipal law enforcement with the expertise developed in forgery investigations. 11. The numerous city and county jurisdictions involving local law enforcement are restrictive to thorough investigation of fraudulent check offenses. This problem is increased when there is no means to adequately pool investigative knowledge. Municipal law enforcement lacks written policies and procedures for the investigation of fraudulent check offenders. This is not only true in Harris County but may be found nationwide. 12. The key elements suggested for establishing effective fraudulent check investigation are as follows: (a) exposure of the fraudulent check problem to the consumer; (b) revision of state penal codes; (c) establishing an adequate form of identification; (d) creation of a check file system, manual and/or computerized; (e) a regional alert notification system; and (f) written procedures and policy pertaining to forgery investigation.
A descriptive study of seventy-five adult protective service cases receiving services from the Texas Department of Public Welfare in the Houston, Texas area 1972-1973
(1975-05-01) Leisner, Carl W.,1941-
"Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to analyze some of the existing data on the non-institutionalized adults receiving protective services, within the Houston city limits, by the Texas Department of Public Welfare. Since the State Welfare Department has been providing adult services, along with adult protective services, for approximately sixteen months, there has been no accurate data gathering system maintained. The number of protective service cases have not been counted, possibly because of their small ratio when compared to the total non-protective adult services being provided to those financially eligible. The sample with which this thesis deals is, therefore, an incidental and not a random sample. Due to the newness of the adult protective services program on a statewide scale, data obtained at this time will contribute to knowledge about program effectiveness as well as to providing input to further development and/or expansion. Methods: The research data from this study were obtained from reading all case records which I was able to identify as an adult protective service case. The case records read were both active and inactive, maintained by the Texas Department of Public Welfare in Houston, which were open within a sixteen month period beginning January, 1972 and ending April, 1973. The case records were read with a case reading schedule which contained thirty-eight sections. An agency informational face sheet, Department of Public Welfare Form 211, was available in all case records which were read for this study. Information not available on the Department of Public Welfare Form 211 was obtained through reading case recordings written by the caseworker providing services. In some instances it was necessary to interview the actual caseworker to obtain needed information. A total of 120 hours was spent on selecting, finding, and reading case records for this study. Due to the confidentiality of the case records, permission had to be obtained from State Welfare Commissioner Raymond Vowell prior to actual reading of the cases. Findings: 1. The recipient was most often a 75 to 84 year old white widowed female who lived alone in a house which she owned. 2. At the time of referral the primary source of income was an Old Age Assistance check and the average monthly income from all sources averaged $95.00. 3.The recipient had to pay an average housing cost of $29.78 per month for housing which was rarely located in a government housing project. The house most often had less than three rooms including a bath and kitchen and had only one bedroom. 4.If the persons receiving protective services lived with a relative it was most often a son. 5. The majority of the recipients were unable to leave the residence without assistance, but did have a telephone available in a majority of the cases. 6. The persons receiving protective services tended to refer themselves and were found to be cooperative toward agency assistance. 7. The majority of the recipients had never received prior protective services from the agency. 8. Based on narrative recording, a majority of the cases were not contacted by a caseworker until the following day after referral. 9. The majority of the persons who received protective services were found to be unable to provide self care. The major area of needed service was social which included developing a plan of need with the client and assisting to achieve these goals through agency or community resources. The plan of need included arranging for medical, including psychiatric, services which would safeguard and improve the circumstances of the client. Some of the social service needs included assistance in finding social care arrangements, assisting with guardianship, assisting in nursing home placement, and counseling. 10. The protective service recipient was referred to other community resources the majority of the time for assistance not available through the agency. 11. The majority of the clients referred to a community resource were placed in a temporary foster or nursing home. 12. Services determined or needed by the caseworker and/or recipient were met by the agency in the majority of the cases. 13. The recipient's residence at the close of services which averaged 73.6 days from referral to close of services, was most often in the same home they lived in at the time of referral. 14. In the majority of the cases the recipients were not declared incompetent. 15. One of every 15 recipients died during the course of services. An explanation of such a high rate of death is possibly attributed to the age and illness of recipients who had come to the agency's attention."
A descriptive study of the mail bomb offender arrested in the United States from January 1, 1974 to December 31, 1975
(1976) Sturdevant, Larry J.,1937-; Matthews, John P
Purpose: The objectives of this study were: (1) to attempt to discover identifying characteristics common to the mail bomb offender; (2) to attempt to identify any similarity in the methodology utilized by the offenders; (3) to provide base line data for future research which can be used in the development of prediction models for dealing with mail bomb offenders; and (4) to provide future investigators an insight into the situations which have previously existed that resulted in a mail bomb offense. Methods: The data for this study were obtained from the official records and reports of the United States Postal Inspection Service. Only those cases which resulted in an arrest were included in the study. A total of eighteen cases were included which resulted in the arrest of twenty-six offenders. Data relating to the offender and data relating to the methodology utilized by the offender were compiled as follows: Data Relating to the Offender 1. Age 2. Race 3. Sex 4. Occupational background 5. Educational background 6. Primary motive 7. Motive by age 8. Prior Arrest History by motive 9. Intended victim by motive 10. Height and weight characteristics of male offenders Data Relating to the Methodology of the Offender 1. Month device was mailed 2. Day of week mailed 3. Mailing location in relation to residence of offender and addressee 4. Days elapsed from date of offense to date of arrest 5. Explosive composition of device 6. Number of devices resulting in detonation and injury Findings: Some of the more significant findings from the data studied are as follows: Age â€“ The data suggests that this crime is primarily an act characteristic of younger individuals as the median age is 24 years and the age group of 15 to 29 years represented 69.2 per cent of all arrestees. Race â€“ The crime appears to be characteristic of the Caucasian race as all of the twenty-six arrestees represented in the study were Caucasians. Sex â€“ The crime is primarily a male act, as twenty-two of the twenty-six offenders arrested, or 84.6 per cent were male. Prior Arrest History: The data indicates that the mail bomb offender tends not to have been previously involved in law violation, as only eight, or 31 per cent of the arrestees had previously been arrested. Motive: Three primary motives were identified in the cases in this study: sex, avarice, and revenge. The most likely motive in a mail bomb case is one of sexual interest, which was the primary motive in nine of eighteen cases studied, or 50 per cent of them. Motive of Offender by Age â€“ The data indicate that the older offenders are more likely to be motivated by revenge than any other reason, as five of the six offenders who were over forty years of age were motivated by revenge. No other age categories appear to be highly correlated with motive. Mailing Location in Relation to Residence of Offender and Addressee â€“ The offenders tend to mail from locations in cities other than those in which they or the addressee reside. Only four of the eighteen mailings (22%), were mailed in the city to which they were addressed. Twelve of the mailings, (67%) were made outside the city in which the offender lived.
A descriptive study of the skid row alcoholic in Houston, Texas
(Sam Houston State University, 1970) Ross, Tommy W.,1926-
The purpose of this study was to establish a population profile of the skid row alcoholic in Houston, Texas. It was designed also to point up differences, if any, in the demographic and drinking pattern characteristics between a sample of skid row alcoholics in Houston, and those described in earlier, but similar, studies completed in New Haven, Connecticut in 1945 and 1946, San Francisco, California in 1966, and Los Angeles, California in 1967. Specifically, the aim of the study was to provide those interested in the problem of alcoholism in general, and the rehabilitation and/or resocialization of the skid row alcoholic in particular, research information that might assist them in the furtherance of their efforts and endeavors.
A descriptive study of the Texas Ranger :historical overtones on minority attutides
(1971) Rigler, Erik T.,1943-; Killinger, George G.
Purpose: The Purpose of this study was to establish an understanding of the relationship between the Texas Ranger and the Mexican American and to provide a profile of todayâ€™s Texas Ranger. Included is a recounting of the Texas Rangerâ€™s 150-yeaar old history, a brief history of the Mexican Americans of South Texas, and measurements of opinions from Mexican American and Anglo American communities. Specifically, the aim of the study was to provide for those interested an account of some of the issues concerning the Texas Ranger. Methods: One primary source of Dara for this study was responses to mailed questionnaires containing twenty items for the Texas Rangerâ€™s interest. Also serving as primary data were the knowledge items opinions of five hundred Anglo and Mexican Americans tested in English and Spanish. Secondary sources were numerous books, articles, periodicals, reports, agency statistics, and reports. Findings: From the data and other evidence gathered during the research the following conclusions may be drawn: 1. The Texas Ranger found his official beginning in 1835 as defense for the frontier against the Indians. Since that time the Texas Ranger has been involved in repeated violence with the Mexican or Mexican American. Originally, it involved Mexican bandits raiding in Texas but more lately involved farm labor unionâ€™s attempts at organization. 3. The Mexican American ancestors may have settled in Texas as r=early as 1500. They lost the land to the American settlers after the Texas Revolution, although not all Mexicans concede to this until after the war with the United States. Subsequent to this, thousands have migrate to the U.S. to join those already here. Together they comprise the countryâ€™s largest minority. Together they suffer high unemployment, low education, and inadequate housing. There is considerable political and economic effort afoot to remedy this situation. 3. The â€œaverageâ€� or â€œtypicalâ€� Texas Ranger is 45.5 years old, was 36.8 years old at appointment. He is tall, comes from a rural background, and had 11.9 percent yearsâ€™ experience in the military service. He has expressed a desire for further education and training, predominately in the area of criminology and police science, in service training, psychology, and sociology. 4. In the groups tested Mexican Americana indicated to a higher degree then Anglo Americans that they held the Texas Ranger in less esteem. Areas tested included service, favoritism, and abolishment. 5. Discussion was provided in the areas of history and violence, public image, and abolishment.
A descriptive study of twenty-five female homosexuals
Browne, Carol Hardy,1941-; Young, Jeanne P
Purpose: The research was devised to investigate some of the social factors present in the life situations of female homosexuals in Houston, Texas. The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics of this population of lesbians and to specifically consider the factors which have caused female homosexuality as seen by members of the study sample and to relate them to existing literature in this field. In addition to collecting demographic data on the sample, the study was designed to gather information concerning the subjectsâ€™ heterosexual and homosexual development, experiences, and attitudes with emphasis on opinions as to the contributing and casual factors of female homosexual behavior pattern in this population. Methods: The primary sources of data for this study were the interviews conducted with twenty-five female homosexuals in Houston, Texas. The interviews were structured by a fifty-nine item questionnaire. All interviews were conducted by the researcher, therefore minimizing bias. The data were tabulated and distributed by fifty-nine descriptive items. Findings: Although findings cannot be generalized beyond this sample, the data gathered during this research and the findings of this study seem to support the following conclusions: 1. This study suggests that the mother was the dominant figure in the family structure of the female homosexual in this sample. 2. It is concluded from study data that sexual fantasies of a homosexual nature and awareness of homosexual feelings precede actual physical experience. 3. The homosexuals in the sample do not attribute homosexuality to congenital factors 4. The female homosexuals in the sample do not attribute homosexual behavior to the early factor of a sexual trauma with a man. 5. This study supports inference by the literature that the female homosexuals in the study attribute psychic trauma, homosexual seduction, sexual frustrations, and family relationships as contributing factors to female homosexual behavior.
A factorial analysis of families and familial problematic areas based on socioeconomic status
(1970-07-01) Price, Jeanette M.,1946-; Friel, Charles M; Dorothy D. Hayes, James D. McLeod
Purpose: The purpose of this study were to analyze parents who had been classified across income levels, and the problematic areas they verbalized during child-custody investigations at the time of their divorce. It was hypothesized that the higher the family was located on a stratified socioeconomic scale, the more internalized and ideational versus physical and environmental their family problems would become. Methods: Data were recorded from cases found at the Dallas County Juvenile Department. All information was analyzed across the socioeconomic levels--0-$5,000, $5,001-$10,000, $10,001-$20,000, and $20,001 and over gross income per year—to provide a comparative analysis of descriptive factors as well as of familial problematic areas. Findings: 1. Parents tended to be older when they married and separated as income rose, with the length of their marriage generally increasing. Those involved in their first marriage at the time of the custody suit decreased with a rise in income. 2. Average number of children in the custody suit varied between two and three, being slightly less for parents in the highest income group. Ages of children involved tended to rise as income rose. 3. Parents’ educational level rose with a rise in income with parents in the last two income groups tending to have similar higher educational background. 4. Communal effort in employment was noted most in the two middle income groups. The lowest income group followed the highest income group in “Fathers only” being employed. More fathers held positions requiring higher education as income rose with the exception of the highest income group wherein 71 per cent of the fathers could not be classified. 5. Mothers tended to rise in occupational level and in being unemployed as income rose with those in the second income group scoring the lowest percentage of housewives and highest of laborers. Although the hypothesis was not sustained to a significant statistical degree, the following trends were found: 1. Child-centered problems, Sexual difficulties, and Parental strife were the three main areas of complaints for fathers with the order of importance varying with income level. Fathers in the third income group included Emotional instability in their chief complaints. More mothers reported Child-centered problems, Financial difficulties, Parental strife, and Sexual difficulties in all groups with the order of importance varying with income. Emotional instability was a major complaint in the highest income group. 2. Percentages of parents giving similar complaints varied across income levels. The percentage of fathers versus mothers within an income level giving the complaints was often discrepant. 3. Both parents’ complaints in the combined allegation groups showed a split between the two lower and two higher income levels: Child-centered problems were reported most frequently in all groups, and Parental strife and Sexual difficulties exchanged second and third place between the groups. Financial difficulties scored in fourth place in the two lower groups with Emotional instability holding that position in the two higher groups. 4. The third income group scored significantly in excepting to the hypothesis such that, although the hypothesis tended to be supported, it could not be unconditionally accepted. 5. Children were the major focal point of discussion in the child-custody cases studied. More specific and less general information was needed in some areas of parental background as well as in the areas of parental and familial problems.
A follow-up study of client satisfaction with vocational rehabilitation services
(1977) Beeson, Connie Dykstra,1950-; Loveless, Pauline
The purpose of this thesis encompassed two objectives. The first was to present a follow-up study of client satisfaction of service, e.g. halfway house placement, vocational training, job placement, surgical services, physical and-or mental therapy, and counseling and guidance, that the client received. The second objective was to find out whether or not satisfaction or dissatisfaction differed with the type of disability group. The methods used in this study were: (1) the collection of data regarding the clientâ€™s name, age, social security number, counselorâ€™s number, and region; (2) the sorting of this information by closure status, region, and counselor number; (3) the random selection of the sample, which was limited to those clients who were successfully rehabilitated in the Fiscal Year of 1975; (4) mailing a questionnaire to each client in the sample; (5) determining, from the responses, the numbers and percents of clients who were either satisfied or dissatisfied with each service area and determining the numbers and percents of client who did not receive each service; (6) conducting an analysis to determine if there were any differences among the individual disability groups, as well as among the individual disability categories, with regards to their satisfaction or dissatisfaction of each service area. Findings: 1. This study indicates that clients revealed a higher percentage of satisfaction than dissatisfaction in all service areas. 2. Satisfaction did differ according to the type of disability group with regard to the service of halfway house placement. 3. Satisfaction did not differ according to disability group with regard to the kind of vocational training, benefits from training, results of surgical services, physical and/or mental therapy, job placement and counseling and guidance. 4. Over one-half of the respondents indicated that they did not receive the service of job placement, which is a mandatory service provided by the Texas Rehabilitation Commission. 5. Approximately one-third of the respondents indicated not receiving counseling and guidance, which is an essential service, in their rehabilitation program.
A Functional Analysis of the Nigeria Police Force: A Proposed Model for Reform
(1999-08) Inyang, Enobong Jonah; Inyang, Enobong Jonah; Triplett, Ruth; Johnson, Wesley; Teske, Raymond H.C. Jr.
Purpose The purpose of this research was to determine the impact of the national police force on the social order in Nigeria. Specifically, this analysis explored the extent to which the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) inhibits adaptation of policing to a modem police role. The impact of traditional policing and the resilience of the legacy of colonial police on the social order, crime and conflicts in modem Nigeria are analyzed. Methodology The methodology used in this study was a secondary analysis of data gathered from research in the United States and records from Nigerian sources. The Nigerian data included prison admissions annual reports from which the crime trends in Nigeria and the Nigerian index of crime were compiled. Rising crime rates could indict the police are doing a good job—responding to deviant behavior in an official manner. Crime rates are used to measure police performance. Functionalism and conflict theory were the primary theoretical frameworks that guided the analysis. Findings 1. The police role in modem society has changed from a traditional, reactive, narrow, law enforcement focus, to a broader, proactive, social service, social support, social integration, and community-based focus. 2. The NPF has failed to adapt to the modem police role concepts that have guided police reform in many countries. 3. The NPF's failure to adapt to modem policing is due to the resilient legacy of colonial police. 4. The colonial police legacy promotes para-militarism, a large police bureaucracy, police loyalty to the federal government and the powerful elite, police brutality, discriminatory law enforcement practices, police unaccountability to the public, and an insidious police subculture that promotes alienation of the police from the public. 5.The NPF is generally viewed by the public as an alien force used by the elites for consolidation of power and subjugation of the people. 6.The consequences of the NPF's failure to adapt to the changes that have taken place in Nigeria include rising crime rates, social stratification, conflicts, social unrest, and instability in the country. 7.Past police reform efforts have not improved the police image and performance. They have focused on raising educational qualifications of recruits, raising salaries, training, purchasing modem equipment and more vehicles, hiring more police, and posting cadets back to their states of origin. The socio-political environment as a context for policing and the implications for a national police force have not been considered.