NCJ Number
12608
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 37 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1973) Pages: 52-58
Date Published
1973
Length
7 pages
Annotation
PROGRAM WHICH UTILIZES A POSITIVE ORIENTATION, OUTSIDE ADVENTURE, AND PHYSICAL CHALLENGE TO GET BETTER CORRECTIONAL RESULTS.
Abstract
HOMEWARD BOUND IS A TWO-PHASE PROGRAM OF SIX WEEKS' DURATION. THE PROGRAM, EXPLAINED TO THOSE COMMITTED OR REFERRED AS VERY RUGGED, HAS LIMITED OPENINGS, IS VOLUNTARY, AND ONCE COMPLETED ALLOWS THE GRADUATE TO BE PAROLED DIRECTLY HOME. THE PROGRAM INVOLVES COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS, SHORT HIKES ALONG THE NATIONAL SEASHORE, SOME RUNNING, CALISTHENICS, AND OBSTACLE COURSES. SOME TIME IS ALSO SPENT WITH A COUNSELOR TO DEVELOP A REALISTIC PLAN FOR RELEASE. DURING THE EVENINGS, CLASSES ARE HELD IN ECOLOGY, LAND NAVIGATION BY COMPASS, SURVIVAL, SEARCH AND RESCUE, OVERNIGHT EXPEDITIONS, ROPES AND KNOTS, AND SEAMANSHIP. FOLLOWING THIS PHASE OF THE PROGRAM, YOUTH ARE DIVIDED INTO BRIGADES WHICH GO ON LAND AND SEA EXPEDITIONS. RESULTS SHOW A LOWER RECIDIVISM RATE AMONG HOMEWARD BOUND PARTICIPANTS THAN AMONG A CONTROL GROUP WHO WERE COMMITTED TO A TRAINING SCHOOL. OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTORS IN THE SUCCESS OF PROJECT PARTICIPANTS INCLUDED AGE, MARITAL STATUS OF PARENTS, HIGHEST SCHOOL GRADE ACHIEVED, AND TYPE OF OFFENSE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)