NCJ Number
122687
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 18 Issue: 1 Dated: (1990) Pages: 55-63
Date Published
1990
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Sociologists and government agencies have advocated for a long time that delinquents be made to associate with conventional role models and, by this means, be drawn away from delinquency.
Abstract
Unfortunately, the advocates of this position have not been able to offer practical and efficient methods by which such association can be accomplished on a large scale without creating adverse side effects. This note describes a program that makes it possible for large numbers of identified delinquents to have routine contact with college students in a way that is convenient and enjoyable both for students and juveniles. It is also efficient (throughout the meetings, values are brought to the fore, discussed, and compared). The program is called Discovery. It has been offered in juvenile detention facilities in western Massachusetts since 1982. Approximately 200 juveniles and an equal number of college students have participated. All of the college students, 95 percent of the juveniles, and all of the staff members surveyed have expressed satisfaction with the program. No one has complained of being harmed or degraded by the program. Compared to other programs designed to enable college students to serve as confidants or counselors of juveniles, this one is much more tightly structured; consequently, it requires less training of the students and fewer meetings between students and juveniles. This, in turn, makes it possible for more students to get involved. 1 note, 22 references. (Author abstract)