NCJ Number
26233
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 39 Issue: 1 Dated: (MARCH 1975) Pages: 33-39
Date Published
1975
Length
7 pages
Annotation
A DESCRIPTION AND ASSESSMENT OF THIS COMMUNITY-BASED THERAPEUTIC RESIDENTIAL FACILITY WHICH PROVIDES A BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION PROGRAM FOR SERIOUS OFFENDERS SENTENCED TO AT LEAST FOUR MONTHS IN JAIL.
Abstract
OPERATED WITHIN THE COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENT, THIS UNLOCKED REHABILITATION FACILITY IS LOCATED IN THE MIDST OF A RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY. AS PART OF A THREE YEAR CONTROLLED STUDY, ELIGIBLE OFFENDERS SENTENCED TO JAIL WERE RANDOMLY ASSIGNED TO THIS PROGRAM OR THE CONVENTIONAL JAIL FACILITIES. THOSE ASSIGNED TO THIS PROGRAM, NAMED ELLSWORTH HOUSE, MAY PARTICIPATE IN FULLTIME EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING, OR SCHOOL, AND MUST RETURN TO THE FACILITY IN THE EVENING. COUNSELING AND THERAPY ACTIVITIES ARE HELD IN EVENING HOURS. AS INMATES TAKE ON MORE RESPONSIBILITY AND IMPROVE THEIR BEHAVIOR PATTERNS, THEY ARE REWARDED WITH MORE PRIVILEGES. THE RESULTS OF THE CONTROLLED STUDY SHOW THAT RECIDIVISM IS THE SAME AS THAT OF THE CONVENTIONAL JAIL FACILITIES GROUPS, BUT EMPLOYMENT IS HIGHER. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE PROJECT DEMONSTRATES THE FEASIBILITY OF AN UNLOCKED REHABILITATION FACILITY IN THE COMMUNITY WITH AN ACTIVE THERAPEUTIC PROGRAM FOR SERIOUS OFFENDERS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED) SAN MATEO COUNTY