NCJ Number
54662
Date Published
1976
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS TAPE CASSETTE FROM THE THIRD NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON JUVENILE JUSTICE ADVOCATES THE USE OF ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL PROGRAMS IN DELINQUENCY PREVENTION AS THE NATURAL DEVELOPMENT OF CONVENTIONAL SYSTEMS.
Abstract
THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE TRADITIONAL EDUCATION SYSTEM OUGHT TO BE DEMANDED IN THE SAME MANNER AS SOCIETY DEMANDS THAT INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS KEEP PACE WITH CHANGING TIMES. SOCIAL SERVICE SYSTEMS MUST INTERRELATE THEIR PROGRAMS, TREATING JUVENILES NOT AS INTERCHANGABLE PARTS, BUT AS INDIVIDUALS. A POLITICAL FORCE IS NEEDED TO COMPEL SUCH CHANGES. THE EFFECTIVE LEAA-FUNDED PROGRAM IN NEWARK, N.J., HAD A RECIDIVISM RATE AMONG ITS DELINQUENT STUDENTS THAT WAS SEVERAL TIMES LOWER THAN THE NATIONAL RATE FOR CONVENTIONAL PROGRAMS. ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS ARE SHOWN TO BE THE NATURAL, AND NOT THE EXCEPTIONAL, ANSWER TO SOCIETIES MADE UP OF DISTINCT INDIVIDUALS. THE CHILDREN'S DEFENSE FUND PROPOSED A VARIETY OF ALTERNATIVE DISCIPLINARY MEASURES, SUCH AS 'COOLING OFF' PERIODS PRIOR TO DISCIPLINARY RESPONSE, AND REGULAR PARENT CONFERENCES. DIAGNOSTIC APPROACHES TO CHILDREN'S PROBLEMS MUST BE USED TO PREVENT OVERREACTING TO BEHAVIOR OFFENSES. DIRECT STUDENT-TEACHER AGREEMENTS AND PEER COUNSELING ARE CONSIDERED EFFECTIVE. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PLANS OUGHT TO STRESS RESPONSE TO YOUTHS' ACTUAL NEEDS. (TWK)