NCJ Number
129489
Date Published
1989
Length
34 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes a descriptive and evaluative study of the 3,774 youths who resided in California's 53 juvenile probation camps operating in mid-1984.
Abstract
Probation camps serve youths with a wide range of personal or social adjustment problems. Camp youths are more seriously delinquent than field probationers, private placements, and those committed to juvenile halls, but they are less delinquent than juveniles committed to the Youth Authority. Probation camps offer a range of programs and activities, including academic and vocational training, counseling, recreation, and religion. Youths' camp time is generally followed by several months of aftercare. Eighty-two percent of camp youths successfully complete their camp program, and the remaining 18 percent are removed as unsuccessful or are transferred. For 2 years after release for males who satisfactorily complete their camp program, 38 percent commit no known offense, 74 percent are not committed to a State institution, and 84 percent commit no violent offense. The report concludes that camps provide considerable immediate as well as longer term public protection from repeat juvenile offenders. The study suggests ways camps can increase the amount of public protection they achieve. 5 footnotes, 18 references, and an appended list of camp features used in analyzing effectiveness