NCJ Number
53694
Editor(s)
N TUTT
Date Published
1978
Length
236 pages
Annotation
THIS ANTHOLOGY OF PAPERS BY EXPERTS IN SOCIOLOGY AND CORRECTIONS DISCUSSES VARIOUS THEORIES OF DEVIANT BEHAVIOR AND EXAMINES INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS DEVELOPED AS ALTERNATIVES TO CUSTODIAL CARE OF YOUNG OFFENDERS.
Abstract
THE ANTHOLOGY BEGINS WITH A DISCUSSION OF THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS' RESPONSIBILITY IN PRODUCING DEVIANT BEHAVIOR FOLLOWED BY A DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS JUVENILE COURT DIVERSION PROGRAMS OPERATING IN THE U.S., CANADA, SCOTLAND, AND ENGLAND. LEVELS OF SUPERVISION IN JUVENILE DIVERSION PROGRAMS RANGE FROM INTENSIVE TO MINIMAL. INTERMEDIATE TREATMENT (REMOVING THE CHILD FROM THE HOME TEMPORARILY), FOSTER FAMILY PLACEMENT OF OFFENDERS, AND COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS ARE EXAMINED. THE DRAMATIC REFORM OF MASSACHUSETTS' YOUTH SERVICES DIVISION IN 1969-1972, WHICH RESULTED IN THE SHUTTING DOWN OF ALL JUVENILE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND DIVERSION OF THE POPULATION TO COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS, IS DISCUSSED. IN THE SASKATCHEWAN (CANADA) INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO JUVENILE AND ADULT CORRECTIONS, ALL JUVENILES ARE REFERRED TO SOCIAL SERVICE WORKERS BEFORE APPEARING BEFORE THE JUDGE AND, IF CONVICTED, TRANSFERRED TO THE MINISTER OF SOCIAL WELFARE WHO PLACES THEM IN A FOSTER HOME, GROUP HOME, OR A TEMPORARY HOLDING CENTER. A RADICAL EXPERIMENT IN BRISTOL, ENGLAND, INVOLVING MAXIMUM SECURITY INMATES IS DESCRIBED; THE INMATES WERE HOUSED IN A COMMUNITY HOSTEL AND TRAINED FOR SOCIAL SERVICE CAREERS. COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS, USED AS A SENTENCING ALTERNATIVE IN ENGLAND AND WALES, ARE DISCUSSED AS A REALISTIC SOLUTION TO EXPENSIVE CUSTODIAL CARE. THE FINAL CHAPTERS CONSIDER WAYS TO ELICIT POSITIVE COMMUNITY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESPONSE, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, AND SUPPORT FOR ALTERNATIVE SYSTEMS OF TREATING OFFENDERS. THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PROVIDING FOR OFFENDERS CANNOT REST SOLEY WITHIN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND ITS AGENCIES BUT MUST BE SHARED BY COMMUNITY AGENCIES SUCH AS HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS, EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AND VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS PROVIDED. (DAG)