NCJ Number
76260
Date Published
1976
Length
63 pages
Annotation
Interviews with 66 juvenile offenders and questionnaires completed by agencies which had contacts with young people were used to assess the social and educational needs of juvenile offenders in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Abstract
The sample of juvenile offenders consisted of 25 youths in school, 25 in detention pending disposition or placement, and 16 not attending school but not institutionalized. The majority were males between 15 and 16 years old. Of the total group, 31 were white and 32 were black. An initial review of the suspension records of 135 young persons in 8 secondary schools indicated that a significant proportion of juvenile offenders were suspended at least once during the 1975-76 school year. Juvenile offenders were interviewed regarding what they wanted to do and then asked to mark items on a list which they felt would help them attain their personal goals. Vocational counseling, job training, and jobs were important to all three groups either to occupy time or earn income. Youths not in school or detention indicated a need for social activities and clothing. Approximately one-third of the youths wanted help in reading and had problems communicating with their parents. Questionnaires were mailed to representative samples of employers from the police, juvenile court, social agencies, and the school district. Responses from 171 persons identified the highest priority needs of juvenile offenders as adult interaction, personal counseling, and young friends. These respondents felt that social agencies and schools could best address the needs of juvenile offenders rather than the police. Recommendations for improving services to juvenile offenders included better coordination among existing programs, expanded alternative education programs, increased parental involvement in treating juvenile offenders between 9 and 13 years old, and more dissemination of information on job training and placement services. The appendixes contain the survey instruments, a table showing reasons for juvenile offenders' suspensions, statistical summaries of survey responses from offenders and youth workers, and suggestions from youth workers concerning needed juvenile services and different treatment approaches for offenders under age 13. Tabular data are included.