NCJ Number
81568
Date Published
1981
Length
27 pages
Annotation
Data from program reports and files were used to evaluate Associated Marine Institutes (AMI) Inc., a nonprofit education and training organization from which Florida's Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services purchases specialized educational, vocational, and counseling services for delinquent youth.
Abstract
AMI operates seven marine institutes in Florida. Each program, except for the Key West facility, is a nonresidential, day care facility that provides services while allowing the youths to continue living with their families. From July through December 1979, AMI programs admitted 377 youths, of which 79 percent were white and 21 percent were black. The youths ranged from 14 to 18 years of age and were generally 15 or 16 years old. Over nine-tenths of the youths were males, and about three-fourths of the commitments were for property offenses. Youths stayed in the AMI programs for an average of 5 months. Of the 75 students who met the age requirement to take the high school equivalency test, 72 percent were successful in obtaining their diploma. Over four-fifths of the AMI youths who were discharged from furlough supervision were placed in jobs and/or schools. The recidivism rate for youths committed to AMI between January and June 1977 was 14 percent after 12 months and 23 percent after 18 months. The actual cost per child per day was $14.25, which was less than the budgeted cost of $16.43. In-program control mechanisms should be improved so that fewer clients will require transfer to more restrictive programs. Referral and screening procedures should be reviewed to determine and correct the reasons for the underrepresentation of blacks in AMI programs. Tables and photographs are included.