NCJ Number
77177
Date Published
1980
Length
254 pages
Annotation
The reform process in Massachusetts' juvenile justice system is examined, with particular attention to decisionmaking regarding placement and the nature of secure and nonsecure programs.
Abstract
An overview is given of Massachusetts' emphasis on the deinstitutionalization of juveniles and their transfer from secure to open settings and the results of this policy. Policy implications are drawn. There are detailed presentations of data on decisionmaking and placement and the nature of secure and nonsecure programs. The analysis of process and structure shows a system in transition. Also presented is a formal mathematical simulation of the larger change process in Massachusetts youth corrections, beginning with the reforms of the early 1970's and projecting to 1984. By 1984, the simulation suggests, the youth correctional system will have been through a conservative counterreform and will be entering a new liberal reform, leading to more emphasis on therapy and advocacy in the community. The fundamental process of reform and counterreform is summarized. The appendix consists of a working paper which draws on much of the work presented in the report's body, while extending it to provide a conceptual framework, along with operational data-gathering instruments for the work of the coming third year of the research project. Tabular and graphic data are provided. (Author abstract modified)