NCJ Number
49241
Date Published
1974
Length
251 pages
Annotation
AN ATTITUDINAL SURVEY IS CONDUCTED TO DETERMINE HOW STUDENTS IN A YOUTH HOME AND IN A REGULAR SCHOOL FEEL ABOUT HOME,SCHOOL, AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
Abstract
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