NASPAA Competency 5-"Ability to communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry" with MPA Program Learning Objectives

	5. ability to communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry	5a. Incorporate various communication tools and strategies (including written reports, brochures, emails, PowerPoint, and marketing plans) in the management of public service organizations.	5b. Incorporate major concepts, skills, process, and policies (including planning, classification, compensation, recruitment, selection, training, performance appraisal, labor relations, equal employment opportunity, and affirmative action) in public service human resource management.	5c. Develop cultural competency and appreciation of diversity for collaborating with diverse stakeholders to produce consensus or consent.	5d. Negotiate interest-based resolutions with stakeholders experiencing conflict.	5e. Critique existing partnerships and promote engagement and interaction with citizens, nonprofit organizations, and collaborative efforts with other entities.
PAD 6053Public Administrators in the Governance Process	R			R	I	I
PAD 6035Public Administration in the Policy Process	R	R		R	R	R
PAD 6700Research Methods for Public Administration	R	R
PAD 6037Public Organization Management	R	I	I	R	R
PAD 6701Analytic Techniques for Public Administration	R	R
PAD 6227Public Budgeting
PAD 6207Public Financial Management	R	R
PAD 6417Human Resource Management	M		M	R
PAD 6335Strategic Planning and Management	M	M		M	M	M
PAD 6062Advanced Concepts and Applications in Public Administration	M	M	R	M	R	M

5	To communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry	Novice	Developing	Proficient	Accomplished
5a	Incorporate various communication tools and strategies (including written reports, brochures, emails, PowerPoint, and marketing plans) in the management of public service organizations	Can explain why information technology is important to contemporary workplaces and public administration environments. Possesses direct experience with information technology, but little understanding for how IT informs professional practice.	Can identify instances in specific cases or context where a public administrator successfully or unsuccessfully demonstrated a capacity to use IT to foster innovation, improve services or deepen accountability. Analysis this level is relegated to descriptions and thin analysis.	Can identify how IT impacts workplaces and public policy. Can diagnose problems associated with IT tools, procedures and uses.	Demonstrates a capacity to view IT in terms of systems design. Is capable of working with IT professionals in identifying areas of need for IT upgrades, IT procedures and IT uses in real setting.
5b	Incorporate major concepts, skills, process, policies (including planning, classification, compensation, recruitment, selection, training, performance appraisal, labor relations, equal employment opportunity and affirmative action) in public service human resource management	Can explain why human resources are valuable to any undertaking. Possesses limited in capacity in describing the critical feature of successful human resource management.	Can identify some of the major features of effective human resource management systems: staffing, performance evaluation, motivations and benefits. Possesses limited capacity analyze the HR issues relative to specific situations and contexts	Demonstrates a capacity to identify and manage the necessary human capital to carry out a task or function within very specific contexts or situations.	Can point to instances in which they have lead or initiated projects or systems designed to improve human resource management practices within a specific setting.
5c	Develop cultural competency and appreciation of diversity for collaborating with diverse stakeholders to produce consensus or consent	Can explain why it is important for public administrators to be culturally competent in a vague or abstract way, but cannot provide specific explanations or justifications applied to particular contexts.	Is able to demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures and groups. Can express the value of differences and difference perceptions in the workplace. Demonstrates an ability to openly discuss cultural differences and issues.	Can explain how cultural awareness, cultural knowledge and cultural skills are employed, or not employed, within specific cases for workplace productivity.	Demonstrates a capacity to be aware of own behavior and its impacts on others, a capacity to understand how discrimination impacts for workplace experience and productivity.
5d	Negotiate interest-based resolutions with stakeholders experiencing conflict	Can explain why it is important for public administrators to value coalition and team building in a vague or abstract way, but cannot provide specific explanations or justifications applied to particular contexts.	Can identify instances in specific cases or context where a public administrator successfully or unsuccessfully demonstrated a capacity to build teams or coalitions. Possesses a basic level of understanding of teamwork dynamics.	Demonstrates a capacity for successful participation in a team or coalition environment. Can apply teaming and coalition building concepts to describe the experience.	Can point to example in which they have created and/or lead teams or coalitions. Can apply teaming and coalition building concepts to describe the experience.
5e	Critique existing partnerships and promote engagement and interaction with citizens, nonprofit organizations, and collaborative efforts with other entities	Can explain the performance of networks in a vague or abstract way, but cannot provide specific explanations applied to particular contexts.	Can identify instances in specific cases or context where a network is effective or ineffective.	Can formulate possible strategies for network effectiveness. Creates engagement and is able to motivate people from other institutions and backgrounds.	Demonstrates own capacity to analyze and network or take an active role in a partnership. Has an emerging professional network, identifies important stakeholders and builds strategic relationships.

I need these in bold, I have attached the paper I have written at the bottom of the screen, The top of this is supposed to answer the first two questions as well.

Competency/capacity addressed: 5a. Incorporate various communication tools and strategies (including written reports, brochures, emails, PowerPoint, and marketing plans) in the management of public service organizations

Criteria I have met:. Can explain why information technology is important to contemporary workplaces and public administration environments. Possesses direct experience with information technology, but little understanding for how IT informs professional practice.

Summary of Paper

Relationship to measures from above

Suggestions for improvement of paper

Paper

Introduction The purpose of this study is to look at the link between rehabilitation programs and recidivism rates among male offenders. The tendency of individuals to reoffend after their initial experience with the criminal justice system, known as recidivism, provides a substantial problem to both society and the criminal justice system. The goal of this study is to see if rehabilitation programs have a significant influence on reducing recidivism among male offenders and to find any gaps in the existing knowledge in this area.

Purpose/Problem Statement The goal of this study is to better understand the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs in reducing recidivism among male offenders. Recidivism not only has significant social and economic consequences, but it also creates a cycle of criminal activity that may be harmful to both the people involved and society as a whole. As a result, it is critical to examine current rehabilitation programs and their impact on male offenders in order to develop policy and intervention measures targeted at lowering recidivism rates. There is, however, little clear evidence that increased reliance on imprisonment has reduced crime rates (Mears et al., 2012).

Deficiencies in the Literature Despite extensive research on recidivism and rehabilitation programs, there are notable deficiencies in the literature regarding their specific effects on male offenders. Many studies have primarily focused on mixed-gender samples or have disproportionately examined female offenders. In those studies that do look at differences in correlates of recidivism between men and women, the findings are mixed (Bell et al., 2020). This gender bias has left a gap in our understanding of how rehabilitation programs specifically affect male offenders, who constitute a significant portion of the incarcerated population. Additionally, many studies assess recidivism rates immediately following release from incarceration, but long-term outcomes are less frequently examined. Understanding the sustained impact of rehabilitation programs is crucial for assessing their effectiveness over time.

Research Questions To address the deficiencies in the literature and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of rehabilitation programs and recidivism rates in male offenders, this study will investigate the following research questions: What is the impact of rehabilitation programs on reducing recidivism rates among male offenders? What are the long-term outcomes of rehabilitation programs in terms of reducing recidivism among male offenders, and how do these outcomes compare to short-term effects?

Literature Review

Conceptualization Identifying the outstanding variables is an important step when it comes to analyzing data regarding recidivism. According to Berman and Wang (2017), variables can be defined as empirically observable phenomena that vary. In this case, this study will discuss both independent and dependent variables in relation to rehabilitation programs and recidivism rates in male offenders. The independent variable that will be discussed are rehabilitation programs and the dependent variable that we will be studying is recidivism rates.

Rehabilitation programs, like variables in general, have a wide variation of services by program (NIJ, 2020). Though there are many different types of services offered, all of these programs have a common mission: to reduce recidivism among adults who have been convicted of an offense by improving their behavior, skills, mental health, social functioning, and access to education and employment (NIJ, 2020). In this particular study, we will be looking at how these rehabilitation programs affect male offenders, specifically. Our dependent variable, recidivism rates, is measured by offenders performing criminal acts that resulted in rearrest, reconviction or an overall return to prison during a three-year period following that person's release (NIJ, n.d.). Our study will assist in determining if the independent variable, rehabilitation programs have any direct effect on the dependent variable, recidivism rates.

Relevant Theories After looking into our topic, we found that there is plenty of literature that focuses on both rehabilitation programs and their effect on male recidivism rates. The question regarding recidivism rates and male offenders gets answered by a Florida Prison Recidivism report created by the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) which goes over recidivism and how multiple variables have affected these rates over time. In relation to our study, the FDC speaks on the changes in recidivism rates based on gender. Additionally, the correlation with rehabilitation programs and male recidivism rates can be found in a published journal review written by Marian Berghuis in 2018, that discusses reentry programs that are utilized by male offenders and how they affect recidivism by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis. Based on the obtained literature, our formulated hypotheses are as follows:

HO: Rehabilitation programs did not affect the recidivism rates positively for male offenders. HA: Rehabilitation programs did affect recidivism rates positively for male offenders.

Research Design

Unit of Analysis The unit of analysis for this project is male offenders. A unit of analysis is defined as the individuals, items, and/or entities that are being investigated or studied (American Psychological Association, n.d.). The focus of the project is to collect sufficient data that would help determine the success of rehabilitation programs to decrease reoffending.

Operationalization of Variables The goal for this project is to determine how rehabilitation programs inside prisons reduce recidivism. The variables that are being examined refers to male offenders that participated in rehabilitation programs and their recidivism rates. The operationalization strategy is to make a connection between the levels of impact that these programs may have when it comes to recidivism.

Table 1. NEED NAME Measurement Level of Variables Variables Independent/Dependent Measurement Measurement Level Rehabilitation Programs Independent Level of impact in individuals Continuous/ratio Recidivism Rates Dependent Percentage of individuals that reoffend Continuous/ratio

Context of Study Population The importance of offering rehabilitation programs in prison is done to help with the reentry of an individual into the community and reduce the recidivism rates. Recidivism can be defined by the Florida Department of Corrections, as the return to prison within a three-year release (Florida Prison Recidivism Report: Releases from 2008 to 2019, 2021). There are different factors that could affect an individual with the reentry into the community after prison, for example, the neglect from the family. Ex-convicts are usually unable to secure a job once they are released from prison, therefore they are more inclined to fall into criminal acts that would send them back to prison. Prejudice from the overall community is another element that would contribute to the aggression of an individual that would cause them to lash out in response. Rehabilitation programs offer different strategies depending on the individuals and their needs. Sample Selection Method & Expected Sample Size The sample selection method for this project is convenience sampling utilizing available online data. The expected sample size is approximately 500. Data Collection: source, methods, and coding We will use existing datasets and official records from government agencies and prison systems.

Table 2. Name # of Programs Attended Recidivism Arrested Year 1 Recidivism Arrested Year 2 Recidivism Arrested Year 3 1 52% 18% 4% 2 32% 12% 10% 3 24% 20% 14% 4 26% 22% 9% 5 26% 28% 8% 6 26% 14% 16% 7 24% 22% 16% 8 36% 20% 14% 9 18% 16% 20% 10 0% 30% 20%

Note: This data is from the Bureau of Justice Statistics - Office of Justice Programs

Descriptive Statistics The mean is a significant measure of central tendency. In this study, the mean represents the average percentage of individuals who reoffend within 1 to 3 years after participating in varying numbers of rehabilitation programs. It assesses whether recidivism rates decrease over time, furthering the understanding of rehabilitation program impact.

The analysis calculates the mean recidivism rate at 1 Year at 26.4%. At 26.4%, it can be stated that a substantial proportion of prisoners tend to reoffend within the first year after rehabilitation. The mean recidivism rate at 2 Years is 20%. This decrease from the 1 Year mean suggests that participation in rehabilitation programs potentially reduces recidivism rates over time. The mean recidivism rate at 3 Years is the lowest at 13%, establishing a continued trend of central tendency that further reinforces the sustained positive impact of rehabilitation programs.

The mean recidivism rates across varying rehabilitation program attendance indicate a positive trend regarding program impact. The mean recidivism rates declined from 26.4% at 1 Year, 20% at 2 Years, and 13% at 3 Years. The decrease over a three-year period highlights the potential long-term impact of rehabilitation programs in reducing recidivism.

Successes & Challenges One success is that there is extensive literature on rehabilitation programs and recidivism. We have numerous peer-reviewed journals, anecdotal evidence, and data to support our study. Datasets regarding prison populations and recidivism are readily available through government agencies and prison systems. Secondly, while current research suggests that rehabilitation programs effectively reduce recidivism, to what degree is still a question. We hope our study complements and contributes to current and future research. Thirdly, our research topic contributes to the "greater good" and positively impacts society. An estimated 44% of people are rearrested within their first year, and recidivism rates are as high as 61% in the United States, with some of the highest recidivism rates in the world (Wisevoter, 2023). Continuing research in reducing recidivism in male offenders will contribute to a safer society.

One challenge of our study is that prison rehabilitation programs vary significantly in type, quality, and accessibility. Programs may be psychological-based, education-based, or occupational-based, and prisons may offer one, some, or all of the programs. The quality of program delivery is highly likely to vary significantly by city, county, and state. The duration of and how frequently a prisoner attends a program also contributes to the likelihood of recidivism. Another challenge of our study is the significant number of variables present. While our research seeks to understand if prison rehabilitation programs reduce recidivism, isolating such programs' effectiveness is difficult. Duration of incarceration, length of sentence, criminal background, condition of prisons, age, and presence of mental illnesses or disorders, among others, are all potential variables that affect the likelihood of recidivism. A third challenge of our study is the significant amount of data available. Pulling data as it relates to our research is a daunting task. The information is available monthly, quarterly, or as broad as a twelve-year study. Further, data is presented in numerous and different formats.

Strategies and Plans to Overcome Challenges To address and overcome these challenges, we will pay particular attention to understanding and acknowledging the limitations in our study. Recidivism reduction is widely studied, but narrowing it down to one variable is extensive and challenging. As we continue this process, we will recognize that variations in rehabilitation programs and other variables may not fully be considered or accounted for in the study. We will also ensure that the data we analyze is current, accurate, and relevant to our topic by utilizing peer-reviewed resources or pulled from government databases.