NCJ Number
9783
Date Published
1972
Length
63 pages
Annotation
SYSTEMATIC DIFFERENCES ARE SUGGESTED IN RESPONSE TO CONFRONTIVE PEER GROUP TREATMENT IN WHICH A BOY'S GAINFUL PARTICIPATION MAY REQUIRE CERTAIN CHARACTERISTICS.
Abstract
THE STUDY WAS MADE OF 242 BOYS PAROLED OR TRANSFERRED FROM THE STATE TRAINING SCHOOL FOR BOYS (STSB) DURING 1969, WHO HAD PARTICIPATED IN THE POSITIVE PEER CULTURE PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM EMPLOYS A GUIDED GROUP INTERACTION TREATMENT METHOD WHICH SEEKS TO SUBSTITUTE A POSITIVE SET OF VALUES AND GOALS FOR THE NEGATIVE VALUE SYSTEM OF THE DELINQUENT SUBCULTURE. FURTHER TREATMENT DETAILS ARE EXPLAINED IN THE PROGRAM DESCRIPTION. PRE-ADMISSION AND ADMISSION INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS AS WELL AS INTRA-INSTITUTIONAL, RELEASE AND POST-RELEASE CHARACTERISTICS ARE PRESENTED IN STATISTICAL TABLES. FINDINGS INDICATE DIFFERENTIAL AMENABILITY TO THE TREATMENT PROGRAM. OLDER BOYS, WITH LESS EXTENSIVE RECORDS, WHO RAN AWAY FROM STSB, WERE LESS LIKELY TO BE TRANSFERRED OUT AND LESS LIKELY TO HAVE PAROLES REVOKED AFTER RELEASE. MINORITY GROUP MEMBERS AND BOYS FROM MORE SEVERELY DISRUPTED FAMILIES WERE LESS LIKELY TO SUCCEED ON PAROLE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)