EVALUATING THE REFORM OF YOUTH CORRECTION IN MASSACHUSETTS

• NCJ Number: 19246
• Journal: Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency Volume: 12 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1975) Pages: 3-16
• Author(s): L E OHLIN; R B COATES; A D MILLER
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 14 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Massachusetts Cmtte on Criminal Justice; US Dept of Justice; US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: National Council on Crime and Delinquency
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

AN OVERVIEW OF THE GOALS, METHODOLOGY, AND PRELIMINARY FINDINGS OF THE RESEARCH BY THE CENTER FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE ON THE CORRECTIONAL REFORMS UNDERTAKEN IN THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH SERVICES (DYS).

Abstract

THE CENTER FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE AT THE HARVARD LAW SCHOOL IS IN THE FIFTH YEAR OF A SEVEN-YEAR PROJECT TO STUDY THE REFORMS OF THE DYS WHICH CLOSED TRAINING SCHOOLS AND SUBSTITUTED A DIVERSIFIED NETWORK OF COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONAL SERVICES FOR YOUTH. THE MAJOR GOALS OF THIS RESEARCH PROJECT ARE: 1) TO STUDY THE ORGANIZATIONAL AND POLITICAL PROCESS AND PROGRESS OF THE REFORMS IN THE DYS; 2) TO EVALUATE THE VARIOUS TREATMENT PROGRAMS FOR JUVENILES; AND 3) TO DEVELOP A MORE EFFECTIVE METHODOLOGY FOR EVALUATING NEW PROGRAMS. IT IS NOTED THAT THE DEPARTMENT IS STILL CONSOLIDATING ITS NEW SYSTEM OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATELY PURCHASED SERVICES. HOWEVER, THE INDICATIONS BASED ON SIX MONTHS OF COMMUNITY EXPOSURE FOLLOWING TREATMENT WERE FOUND TO REVEAL A SIGNIFICANT DECLINE IN COURT APPEARANCES AND A GREATER POSITIVE RESPONSE OF YOUTHS TO THE NEW PROGRAMS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)