NCJ Number
129426
Date Published
1989
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study assesses California's juvenile probation camps which are local institutional settings for juvenile probationers.
Abstract
Probation camps serve youths who have a wide range of personal or social adjustment problems. Their problems may include alcohol abuse; psychiatric/psychological difficulties; gang involvement; weapons use; and physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. The camps offer a wide range of programs and activities such as academic and vocational training, counseling, recreation, and religion. Camp programs are generally followed by several months of supervised aftercare, often in reduced or specialized caseloads. This assessment of the probation camps involved all 3,774 youths residing in the 53 juvenile probation camps operating in mid-1984. Data were obtained from case files, court records, Bureau of Criminal Statistics rap sheets, a survey completed by camp staff, and phone followups. For comparative purposes, randomly selected field probationers, court-ordered private placements, and juvenile hall commitments were also studied as were 1,021 juveniles under age 18 in California Youth Authority institutions. Eighty-two percent of camp youths successfully complete their camp program, and the remaining 18 percent are removed or transferred for unsatisfactory behavior. For those who satisfactorily complete the camp program, violent offending is reduced 54 percent during the 24 months after camp release compared to the 24 months preceding camp. The study concludes that juvenile probation camps provide considerable protection for the public from repeat juvenile offenders. 5 tables and a listing of 6 project reports