NCJ Number
109684
Journal
Police Volume: 20 Issue: 2 Dated: (October 1987) Pages: 29,42
Date Published
1987
Length
2 pages
Annotation
France's youth crime prevention program, initiated by the Mitterand government in the early 1980's, operates summer camps and other activities for urban youth and encourages local jurisdictions to attack underlying problems through job training and other youth-oriented projects.
Abstract
Because France never had detention centers or borstals, all political parties and government agencies recognized the need for a cooperative, nonrepressive approach to youth crime. The summer camps initiated in 1982 have been remarkably successful, as evidenced by a decrease over the summer months in the crime rates of large cities. The camps fall into three types: subsidies for existing organizations which traditionally offer summer activities; new activities, such as camps organized by the army or ones focusing on sports or theatrical activities; and mobilizing groups of young people to claim grants for local projects. Programs offered by Clichy, a Paris suburb, demonstrate how well-organized and comprehensive the summer camp program has become in 5 years. Youth centers are another key feature of the youth crime prevention policy. All cities and most large towns have centers which provide a place for young people from 16 to 25 years old to discuss problems of employment, housing, and finance with knowledgeable people who can help them. Long-range goals and contributions of the youth program to social integration are discussed.