NCJ Number
44496
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 4 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1977) Pages: 377-396
Date Published
1977
Length
20 pages
Annotation
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A PINELLAS COUNTY, FLA., PRE-TRIAL INTERVENTION PROJECT FOR YOUTHS IS EVALUATED IN A STUDY OF 436 PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS AND 132 CONTROLS.
Abstract
THE JUVENILE SERVICES PROGRAM RECEIVED REFERRALS OF TWO TYPES FROM THE JUVENILE COURT: CHILDREN AGED 12 TO 16 ADJUDICATED AS DELINQUENT; AND CHILDREN DESIGNATED AS BEING IN NEED OF SUPERVISION. INFORMAL REFERRALS WERE ALSO RECEIVED FROM POLICE, SCHOOLS, AND OTHER COMMUNITY AGENCIES. THE PROGRAM PROVIDED VOCATIONAL COUNSELING, TRAINING AND JOB PLACEMENT, ACADEMIC EDUCATION ON A TUTORIAL AND SMALL-GROUP BASIS, AND PERSONAL AND SOCIAL COUNSELING. CONSIDERABLE USE WAS MADE OF VOLUNTEERS FROM THE COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY IN THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM. THE EVALUATION FOCUSES ON REARREST DATA FOR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS AND CONTROLS. THE EXPERIMENTAL GROUP INCURRED SIGNIFICANTLY FEWER REARRESTS OVER AN AVERAGE 311-DAY PERIOD THAN DID CONTROLS. HOWEVER, THE GREATEST SUCCESS WAS OBTAINED WITH INFORMALLY REFERRED PARTICIPANTS. THE FINDINGS SUGGEST THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERVENTION FOR YOUTHS WHO HAVE COME INTO CONTACT WITH A SOCIAL SERVICE OR EDUCATIONAL AGENCY BUT HAVE NOT ENTERED THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE DATA ALSO SUGGEST CERTAIN VARIABLES THAT ARE IMPORTNAT IN PREDICTING THE SUCCESS OF A PROGRAM PARTICIPANT. SUPPORTING DATA AND A LIST OF REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED.