NCJ Number
63002
Date Published
1978
Length
27 pages
Annotation
PROJECT STEP (SHORT TERM ELECTIVE PROGRAM), A WILDERNESS SURVIVAL PROGRAM FOR JUVENILE DELINQUENTS, IS EVALUATED ACCORDING TO COMPLETION RATES, RECIDIVISM, AND COSTS.
Abstract
THE PROGRAM ARRANGES APPROXIMATELY 22 WILDERNESS EXCURSIONS PER YEAR FOR GROUPS OF 8 TO 10 YOUTHS. IT IS STAFFED THROUGH A CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENT WITH THE HURRICANE ISLAND OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL IN MAINE. VOLUNTEER PARTICIPANTS ARE USUALLY MALES AT LEAST 13 TO 14 YEARS OLD, OF NORMAL INTELLIGENCE, WHO HAVE NOT THE INCIDENCE OR SEVERITY OF DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR BY DEVELOPING SELF-RELIANCE, COOPERATION WITH OTHERS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITY. THE STEP PROGRAM INCLUDES A LENGTHY CANOE TRIP ACROSS FLORIDA, A SOLITARY SURVIVAL EXPERIENCE, AND A MARATHON. THREE SOURCES WERE UTILIZED IN THE EVALUATION: DEMOGRAPHIC DATA AND DELINQUENCY/HISTORIES PROVIDED BY A COMPUTERIZED DATA BASE, MONTHLY REPORTS SUBMITTED FOR ALL YOUTH UNDER FIELD SUPERVISION, AND YOUTH SERVICES COMMITMENT FILES WHICH WERE CHECKED FOR RECIDIVISM SINCE FURLOUGH. FROM JANUARY TO APRIL 1977, ALL STEP'S ADMISSIONS WERE MALES, LESS THAN ONE-THIRD WERE BLACK, AND OVER HALF HAD BEEN CHARGED WITH PROPERTY OFFENSES. CLOSE TO 90 PERCENT COMPLETED THE PROGRAM AND WERE FURLOUGHED. SCHOOL OR EMPLOYMENT/HISTORY WAS EXAMINED TO EVALUATE STEP'S INFLUENCE ON ITS YOUTHS' REINTEGRATION INTO THE COMMUNITY. APPROXIMATELY 60 PERCENT OF THE CASES STUDIED WERE IN ACADEMIC SCHOOLS OR EMPLOYED. BY FOLLOWING UP 65 CASES, RECIDVISM WAS ASSESSED AT 28 PERCENT A YEAR AFTER FURLOUGH. ALTHOUGH PROJECT STEP COMPARES FAVORABLY WITH OTHER PROGRAMS IN TERMS OF COMPLETION AND RECIDIVISM, IT CONTAINS HIDDEN COSTS BECAUSE OF ITS INABILITY TO ACCEPT MOST DIRECT ADMISSIONS. (THE PROJECT HAS NO HOLDING CAPABILITY OTHER THAN THE INAPPROPRIATE USE OF DETENTION FACILITIES AND THUS MUST DEPEND ON TRANSFERS FROM OTHER PROGRAMS, ESPECIALLY FROM TRAINING SCHOOLS.) A LOW-COST HOLDING FACILITY ESPECIALLY FOR STEP CANDIDATES OR A HOME CUSTODY ARRRANGEMENT IS RECOMMENDED. SEVERAL TABLES AND A LIST OF OFFENSES CATEGORIZED INTO FELONIES AND MISDEMEANORS ARE PROVIDED. (MJM)