NCJ Number
16959
Journal
PROBATION AND PAROLE Issue: 6 Dated: (FALL 1974) Pages: 39-56
Date Published
1974
Length
17 pages
Annotation
A DISCUSSION OF THE OPERATIONS AND EFFECTIVENESS OF JUVENILE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES SUCH AS TRAINING SCHOOLS, SMALL RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY BASED GROUP HOMES, HALF-WAY HOUSES, AND CAMPS.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR DESCRIBES THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND COMMUNITYBASED JUVENILE INSTITUTIONS. IT IS CONTENDED THAT SMALL COMMUNITY FACILITIES, AS OPPOSED TO LARGER TRAINING SCHOOLS, FORCE THE YOUTH TO FACE PROBLEMS IN A LESS SHELTERED AND MORE NEARLY NORMAL ENVIRONMENT, AND ALSO STIMULATE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. THE OPERATIONS AND TYPICAL PROGRAMS OF THE SMALL RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITY ARE DESCRIBED. IN THESE, JUVENILES PARTICIPATE IN SCHOOL OR WORK PROGRAMS COUPLED WITH GUIDED GROUP INTERACTION PROGRAMS. IN THE COMMUNITY BASED GROUP HOME, CASEWORK, GROUPWORK, COMMUNITY CONTACTS AND COUNSELING ARE PROVIDED IN A RESIDENTIAL SETTING. OTHER ALTERNATIVES SUCH AS CAMPS AND HALF-WAY HOUSES ARE ALSO DESCRIBED. THE SUCCESS OF THESE ALTERNATIVE CORRECTIONAL METHODS IN REDUCING RECIDIVISM, ESPECIALLY IN COMPARISON TO RECIDIVISM RATES FOR INMATES OF TRAINING SCHOOLS, IS STRESSED. THE AUTHOR STATES THAT IN SPITE OF THIS NEGATIVE EVIDENCE ON TRAINING SCHOOL EFFECTIVENESS, MOST STATES PLAN CONSTRUCTION OF THESE FACILITIES TO DEAL WITH THE RISING JUVENILE DELINQUENCY RATES.