NCJ Number
48363
Editor(s)
P POWELL,
J A LEVITCH
Date Published
1977
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS FILM DESCRIBES THE DETERRENT EFFECTS OF SEVERAL JUVENILE TREATMENT PROGRAMS IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.
Abstract
THE JUVENILE DIVERSION PROGRAM IN BERKELEY, CALIF., SPONSORED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, ATTEMPTS TO PROVIDE DELINQUENTS WITH POSITIVE EXAMPLES TO FOLLOW. IT FUNCTIONS LIKE THE BIG BROTHER AND BIG SISTER PROGRAMS, INVOLVING THE CHILDREN IN SESSIONS WITH PEOPLE OF SIMILAR SOCIAL BACKGROUNDS. THE POLICE HAVE THE DISCRETION TO DECIDE WHETHER THE CHILD SHOULD BE SENT TO JUVENILE HALL, THE COURT, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR DETENTION, THE DIVERSION PROGRAM, OR THE PARENTAL HOME. THE POLICE ARE USING THIS PROGRAM TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF CHRONIC OFFENSES. THE MINNESOTA STATE TRAINING SCHOOL HAS A POSITIVE PEER CULTURE GROUP PROGRAM, WHERE THE INMATES IN THE CENTER MEET IN GROUPS AND ARE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR COUNSELING EACH OTHER. THE JUVENILES MEET EACH DAY TO DISCUSS THEIR PROBLEMS AND ENCOUNTERS. THE SESSIONS DO NOT EXIST TO PUNISH OR REWARD MEMBERS BUT TO PROVIDE THE JUVENILES WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK WITH EACH OTHER AND DISCUSS THEIR FEELINGS. THE MAJORITY VIEW THE CRIMINAL ACT AS A CRY FOR HELP TO BE TREATED AND ARE LOOKING FOR HELP. HOWEVER, SOME GROUP MEMBERS ADMIT THAT THE SESSIONS HAVE NO SUBSTANTIAL EFFECTS; THEY ATTEND THE MEETINGS MERELY TO BE DISMISSED EARLY FROM TRAINING SCHOOL. THE FINAL SEGMENT OF THE FILM DESCRIBES A COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONS PROGRAM IN PITTSBURGH, PA., WHICH PLACES CHRONIC AND PROBLEM OFFENDERS IN THE HOME OF A FAMILY THAT HAS HAD A HIGH SUCCESS RATE WITH THOSE CHILDREN CONSIDERED TO BE INCURABLE DELINQUENTS. THE FAMILY ATTEMPTS TO TREAT EACH OFFENDER ACCORDING TO HIS NEEDS, PROVIDING LOVE AND DISCIPLINE AT THE SAME TIME. THE FAMILY CLAIMS THAT 75 TO 80 PERCENT OF THESE CHILDREN CAN BE HELPED IN A CARING FAMILY SITUATION. MANY OF THE CHILDREN FUNCTION BELOW GRADE LEVEL, AND THE FOSTER PARENTS WORK WITH THEM IN THESE AREAS. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS PROGRAM IS THAT ONLY ONE FAMILY WHICH IS ACHIEVING POSITIVE RESULTS. THERE ARE SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH FAMILIES WILLING TO TAKE CARE OF ALL THE JUVENILES WHO NEED SUPERVISION. THE DEVELOPMENT OF MORE EFFECTIVE REHABILITATION PROGRAMS IS URGED. AN INSTRUCTION MANUAL AND BOOKLET ARE INCLUDED. FOR RELATED FILMS, SEE NCJ-46889, 47321, AND 48362. (BAC)