NCJ Number
13109
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 17 Issue: 3 Dated: (1973) Pages: 268-284
Date Published
1973
Length
17 pages
Annotation
PROGRAM TO CHANGE THE BEHAVIOR OF ADOLESCENTS BY FORGING THEM AND STAFF MEMBERS INTO A STRONG, CLOSE-KNIT GROUP WHOSE SOCIAL VALUES ARE THOSE OF NORMAL SOCIETY.
Abstract
THE PROGRAM ATTEMPTS TO PREVENT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SEPARATE 'INMATE CULTURE' AMONG THE ADOLESCENTS BY INTEGRATING STAFF MEMBERS INTO THE GROUP. THE STAFF MAKES STRONG DECLARATIONS OF THE SOCIAL NORMS REQUIRED OF ALL GROUP MEMBERS, DEMANDING THAT THE ADOLESCENTS EITHER ACCEPT THEM OR LEAVE. THOSE WHO REMAIN AND ADOPT THESE NORMS THEN APPLY PEER PRESSURES TO NEW ARRIVALS TO CONFORM TO THE GROUP NORMS. AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN THE PROGRAM IS THAT THE ADOLESCENT ALWAYS BE AWARE OF HIS RIGHT TO LEAVE THE COMMUNITY IF HE DOES NOT ACCEPT THE GROUP VALUES, SINCE IT IS ONLY BY VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION THAT THESE VALUES ARE INTERNALIZED. THE KEY VALUES IN THE PROGRAM ARE THE WORK ETHIC, THE REJECTION OF VIOLENCE, AND THE SHARING OF EXPERIENCES AND PROBLEMS BY ALL MEMBERS OF THE GROUP. IN A FOLLOW-UP STUDY OF 45 GRADUATES, 78 PER CENT OF THE PARENTS INTERVIEWED REPORTED AN IMPROVEMENT IN THEIR CHILD'S BEHAVIOR. ALSO, ONLY 28 PER CENT OF THE GRADUATES HAD BEEN IN COURT SINCE GRADUATION, COMPARED TO 50 PER CENT OF ALL THOSE IN THE PROGRAM PRIOR TO THEIR STAY, WHILE 56 PER CENT WERE EMPLOYED OR IN SCHOOL.