NCJ Number
54765
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 20 Issue: 1 Dated: (1976) Pages: 77-81
Date Published
1976
Length
5 pages
Annotation
AN OVERVIEW OF A THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY FOR REPEAT OFFENDERS IN BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND, IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
ELLIOTT HOUSE IS LOCATED IN A RESIDENTIAL SUBURB AND PROVIDES HOSTEL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR 15 MEN. IT IS MANAGED BY A 15-MEMBER COMMITTEE OF TEACHERS, EMPLOYERS, PROBATION OFFICERS, AND JUDGES, AND IS STAFFED BY FIVE PEOPLE WHO LIVE WITH THEIR FAMILIES IN THE HOUSE. CLIENTS ARE REPEAT OFFENDERS, AGED 21-30, WHO ARE ASSIGNED TO ELLIOT HOUSE FOR 1 YEAR AS A CONDITION OF PROBATION. STAFF MEMBERS FIND EMPLOYMENT FOR THE OFFENDERS, WHO MUST PAY ONE-THIRD OF THEIR WAGES FOR RENT AND BOARD, COMMIT NO FURTHER OFFENSES, AND ATTEND TWO WEEKLY MEETINGS AT THE HOUSE. THE HOUSE FUNCTIONS AS A THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY IN WHICH ALL RESIDENTS PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS OF PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT. PSYCHODYNAMIC VIEWPOINTS PREVAIL AMONG STAFF MEMBERS, WHO REGARD THEIR WORK AS 'ATTITUDE THERAPY.' DISCIPLINE DERIVES FROM THE FACT OF PROBATION, FROM THE INFLUENCE OF STAFF MEMBERS AND OTHER RESIDENTS, AND FROM WITHIN THE INDIVIDUAL RESIDENT. ONE AIM OF ELLIOTT HOUSE IS TO HELP OFFENDERS INTERNALIZE CONTROLS SO THAT SPECIAL EXTERNAL DISCIPLINE BECOMES UNNECESSARY. ELLIOTT HOUSE APPEARS TO HAVE JUSTIFIED ITS EXISTENCE IN TERMS OF BOTH TREATMENT EFFECTIVENESS AND ECONOMY. IN 4 YEARS, 46 CLIENTS (78 PERCENT) HAVE COMPLETED THEIR 1-YEAR STAYS WITHOUT RETURNING TO PRISON, AND 29 (69 PERCENT) HAVE REMAINED OUT OF PRISON FOR 12 MONTHS AFTER LEAVING ELLIOTT HOUSE. APPROXIMATELY 18 PERCENT OF ALL CLIENTS HAVE RETURNED TO PRISON. IT HAS BEEN ESTIMATED THAT THE COST PER CLIENT AT ELLIOTT HOUSE IS ONE-THIRD LESS THAN THE COST OF MAINTAINING A PRISONER. AN ADDITIONAL ECONOMIC BENEFIT IS THAT RESIDENTS ARE PART OF THE WORK FORCE. THE ADDITION OF A PSYCHOLOGIST TO THE ELLIOTT HOUSE STAFF IS SUGGESTED. (LKM)