NCJ Number
34841
Date Published
1975
Length
30 pages
Annotation
THIS FINAL REPORT PRESENTS AN ASSESSMENT OF THE PHASE I AND PHASE II PERFORMANCE OF THIS PROJECT WHICH WAS INTENDED TO REDUCE DELINQUENCY BY PROVIDING LEGITIMATE LEISURE-TIME ACTIVITIES FOR DELINQUENCY-PRONE YOUTH.
Abstract
THE INTERVENTION AND DEVELOPMENTAL (I AND D) CENTERS PROJECT WAS TO SPONSOR ACTIVITIES WHICH WOULD OCCUPY THE EXTRA, FREE TIME OF THESE YOUTH, IN AN ATTEMPT TO DECREASE CIRCUMSTANCES FAVORABLE TO THE COMMISSION OF CRIMES. THROUGH ITS IMPLEMENTING AGENCY, THE CITY DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION, THE PROJECT PROPOSED TO INCREASE RECREATIONAL SERVICES FOR YOUTH PRINCIPALLY BY: EXPANDING THE AVAILABLE PROGRAMS AND HOURS OF THE 15 EXISTING RECREATIONAL SERVICES; OPENING SIX ADDITIONAL CENTERS; AND SUPPLEMENTING THE TOTAL 21 CENTERS WITH ADDITIONAL STAFF HIRED THROUGH THE PROJECT. THE ANALYSES OF PERFORMANCE INDICATED THAT THE PROJECT ACHIEVED OR NEARLY ACHIEVED ALL OBJECTIVES SPECIFIED IN ITS GRANT APPLICATIONS DURING THE IMPACT FUNDING PERIOD. AN AREA OF CONCERN DURING THE GRANT PERIOD, PARTICULARLY DURING PHASE I FUNDING, WAS THE HIGH TURNOVER IN STAFF AND RESULTING PERSONNEL SHORTAGES IN THE RECREATIONAL CENTERS. PERSONNEL SHORTAGES DEMONSTRATED SEVERAL DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS ON PROJECT OPERATIONS INCLUDING (1) LIMITING THE NUMBER OF HOURS DURING WHICH THE CENTERS COULD BE OPEN, (2) LIMITING THE NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES WHICH COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO YOUTH, AND (3) LIMITING THE CAPABILITY TO EXPAND CENTERS' SERVICES FOR SPECIALIZED ACTIVITIES. DESPITE THE LIMITATIONS EXPERIENCED BY THE PROJECT AS A CONSEQUENCE OF PERSONNEL SHORTAGES, THE OVERALL RESULTS OBTAINED BY THE PROJECT WERE SUBSTANTIAL, PARTICULARLY WITH RESPECT TO THE TARGET POPULATION SERVED. THE I & D CENTERS PROJECT EXTENDED SERVICES TO NEARLY 60,000 YOUTH PER MONTH AT A COST OF ABOUT ONE DOLLAR PER MONTH PER YOUTH USING THE CENTERS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)