NCJ Number
12132
Journal
California Youth Authority Quarterly Volume: 26 Issue: 3 Dated: (FALL 1973) Pages: 13-19
Date Published
1973
Length
7 pages
Annotation
DISCUSSION OF AN INCIDENT OF ATTEMPTED ASSAULT AND ESCAPE AT A CALIFORNIA CORRECTIONAL CENTER AS IT RELATES TO PRINCIPLES OF GROUP DYNAMICS AND GANG BEHAVIOR.
Abstract
DRAWING ON SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES OF BEHAVIOR, THE AUTHOR DISCUSSES GROUP FORMATION AND ACTIVITIES AT THE SOUTHERN RECEPTION CENTER AND DIAGNOSTIC CLINIC, CALIFORNIA, AND INDICATES THE TYPE OF PROGRAM AND STAFF SKILLS NECESSARY FOR DEALING WITH THIS POPULATION. THE ARTICLE STATES THAT AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE GROUP PROCESS AND ITS USE IN VERBAL AND ACTIVITY PROGRAMMING WITH DELINQUENT YOUNG MEN CAN PREVENT NEGATIVE BEHAVIORAL CONTAGION AND THEREBY CONTRIBUTE TO INSTITUTIONAL MANAGEMENT. SPECIFICALLY SUGGESTED IS THE USE OF GROUP DISCUSSION, BASED ON A CRISIS INTERVENTION MODEL, LED BY PROFESSIONAL STAFF OR APPROPRIATELY TRAINED PARAPROFESSIONAL STAFF. OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE GROUP DECISION-MAKING AT THE COTTAGE LEVEL AND ADDITIONAL GROUP ACTIVITY PROGRAMMING AT THE COTTAGE LEVEL, PLANNED TO PROMOTE POSITIVE RATHER THAN NEGATIVE GROUP CONTAGION. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)