Theory of Constraints Handbook - James Cox Iii [554]
Quantitative
Success of the project was measured quantitatively by job retention upon release of our sample population. According to data provided by SCORE as illustrated in Fig. 27-12, historically approximately 20 percent of inmates were able to retain a job upon release for three months or more. At the end of the pilot study, job retention over a three-month period rose threefold to 59 percent.
Qualitative
Inmate Feedback
Surveys were administered to inmates on the last day of the training program to appraise their perceptions of the usefulness of the training course, and to evaluate if the tools learned were being utilized upon completion of the course. An evaluation form consisting of both closed (Section I) and open-ended (Section II) questions was prepared for this purpose as seen in Fig. 27-13.
FIGURE 27-12 Results of TOC pilot study.
In addition, the 59 inmates who completed the evaluation gave the course a mean rating of 5.75 from a total of 6 for 13 questions rated on a Likert scale in Fig. 27-14, suggesting that inmates found the training very relevant and useful. Of the different aspects evaluated, inmates were most enthusiastic about the usefulness of the tools and how they helped them distinguish between needs and wants, overcome obstacles to achieve their goals, and understand flawed assumptions.
FIGURE 27-13 Inmate evaluation form.
FIGURE 27-14 Inmate Likert scale.
Responses to open-ended questions were congruent with their responses to their ratings in Section I. Inmates expressed that TOC helped them overcome internal conflicts, plan “one-step-at-a-time,” make better decisions, set realistic goals, and focus on the future. Other comments from inmates include:
This is the best thing that has happened to me in prison. If I attended the course during my first sentence, I would not have come back to prison again.
Most important it helps us to think wisely (which many of us do not usually do) and ask ourselves why (which we never thought of asking) and to really identify our basic needs.
It enables me to discover the missing pieces of the puzzle that I’ve been searching for all these years. At last I got an answer to my agony.
It will help me think of consequences in doing what I think is safe.
Creates a clear picture of why I have failed so many times so that I can better understand where my flaws are.
It really makes me understand myself much better. . . . but the truth sometimes hurts.
Trainer Feedback
“Even though we also experienced deprivation of sorts while we worked in a high security setting, it is great to know that the TOC tools gave them freedom even before they were being released. They were hopeful because their thinking had begun and were able to reason within themselves. Some broke free from mindsets and their behavior changed immediately.
“One found a way to prevent the violence that led him to prison. This discovery alone brought a smile to his face that he could finally control himself. Upon release, another was able to stay in a physically demanding job just by thinking through and deciding what is more important. Another took two jobs so that he could keep himself busy and avoid being bored, which he knew would lead him to trouble. This same person now has an Ambitious Target of wooing his ex-wife and he has hope. These little reality stories affirm that empowering the ‘scum of society’ with tools that work gives the most meaningful satisfaction.”
Government Feedback
“This programme uses simple and logical tools to question the assumptions underlying conflicts in one’s life so as to enable one to make