NCJ Number
68520
Journal
Monatsschrift fuer Kriminologie und Strafrechtsreform Volume: 63 Issue: 1 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1980) Pages: 32-47
Date Published
1980
Length
16 pages
Annotation
A FOLLOW-UP STUDY OF BEHAVIORIST AND PSYCHODYNAMIC TREATMENT MODELS AT THE YOUTH CENTER RESEARCH PROJECT IN STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA SHOWS FACTORS UNDERMINING THE CORRECTIONAL TREATMENT CONCEPT.
Abstract
IN THE ORIGINAL PROGRAM, 400 14-TO-15-YEAR-OLDS WERE TREATED AT ONCE IN TWO INSTITUTIONS USING BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION AND TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES. THE EFFECTS OF A NUMBER OF VARIABLES (E.G., THERAPIST PERSONALITY) WERE MEASURED. ACCORDING TO THE TOKEN ECONOMY PRINCIPLE, YOUTHS EARNED POINTS TOWARD PROBATION. FOR THE ORIGINAL STUDY 983 INDIVIDUALS SUBMITTED TO PRETESTS AND POSTTESTS (I.E., THE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SCALE, THE JESNER PERSONALITY INVENTORY, A BEHAVIOR CHECKLIST, THE LOEVINGER EGO DEVELOPMENT SCALE, AND THE YOUTH OPINION POLL QUESTIONNAIRE). TEST RESULTS AND PROBATION REVOCATION RESULTS SUGGESTED THAT THE MODEL WAS SUPERIOR TO OTHER SOCIAL THERAPEUTIC MODELS. MULTIPLE FACTOR ANALYSIS ESTABLISHED THE TREATMENT FORM USED AND THE POSITIVE REGARD OF THE STAFF AS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT VARIABLES. ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOW-UP STUDY, POSITIVE EFFECTS OF THE PROGRAM WERE SIGNIFICANT BUT SHORT-LIVED: ONLY 23 PERCENT OF THE TEST SUBJECTS DID NOT EXPERIENCE FURTHER DIFFICULTIES. AFTER THE ORIGINAL EXPERIMENTAL IMPLEMENTATION PHASE, THE INSTITUTIONAL MODELS CONTINUED IN OPERATION FOLLOWING THE SAME PATTERN. BY 1976, LINES OF VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUPERVISORY PRACTICES HAD DETERIORATED. IDENTIFICATION OF STAFF AND CLIENTS WITH THE THERAPY CONCEPT DISAPPEARED, AND SPECIAL THERAPY WAS REPLACED BY INSPECIFIC COUNSELING AS TRAINED PERSONNEL DRIFTED AWAY. SOCIAL WORKERS WERE SUPPLANTED BY LESS QUALIFIED BUT HIGHER PAID CORRECTIONS OFFICERS. MOREOVER, SOCIAL THERAPISTS WERE FORCED TO TAKE OVER ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS BECAUSE OF STAFF REDUCTIONS. FINALLY, SHORTAGES OF FUNDS AND PUBLIC PREFERENCE OF LAW AND ORDER POLICIES HAVE PRODUCED A CLIMATE UNFAVORABLE TO TREATMENT PROJECTS OF THIS SORT. NOTES ARE SUPPLIED. --IN GERMAN.