NCJ Number
240213
Journal
American Jails Dated: September/October 2012 Pages: 8-10
Date Published
October 2012
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This report presents the features and evaluation results for the first fully functional Boys & Girls Club program in a correctional facility in Indian Country.
Abstract
Located in Scottsdale, AZ, this innovative program provides habitual juvenile offenders the tools and life skills needed to become responsible and fulfilled adults. The Salt River Department of Corrections operates in conjunction with health, recreation, and life skills classes. The program focuses on relapse prevention plans and career development. Vocational classes in gardening, landscaping, bicycle maintenance, and cooking are provided. The staff members who teach the youth are State-certified teachers as well as Boys and Girls Club staff. With the help of the Salt River Department of Education, the juveniles who participate in the Boys & Girls Club program can receive high school elective credit. The curriculum continues after release into the community under the Accelerated Learning Academy (Tribal credit recovery school). The primary measure of the program's effectiveness is ensuring that program participants do not reoffend. The program has influenced 332 youths in the last 5 years. Four participants completed their high school courses while in custody and have successfully transitioned into the community-based Accelerated Learning Academy. The methods used to determine the program's effectiveness include pre- and post-assessment, the number of students who continue to attend Boys & Girls Club/Accelerated Learning Academy programs once they are released, and mid-term and quarterly grades that include the life-skills class and physical education/health class.