NCJ Number
62211
Date Published
1978
Length
13 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT DESCRIBES THE ILDERTON MOTOR PROJECT, BRITAIN'S FIRST PROJECT SPECIALIZING IN THE REHABILITATION OF YOUNG AUTO-CRIME OFFENDERS.
Abstract
AFTER TWO YEARS OF EXPERIMENTATION AND RESEARCH, THE CENTER IS NOW OPERATIVE. REFERRALS ARE RECEIVED FROM PROBATION OFFICERS AND SOCIAL WORKERS ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS WHO ARE YOUNG MOTORING OFFENDERS OR AT RISK WITH MOTOR CARS. SUCH OFFENDERS ARE ACCEPTED ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS AND ENROLLMENT IS ON A CONTRACTUAL BASIS WHERE THE CLIENT UNDERSTANDS THAT HIS CONTINUED ATTENDANCE IS DEPENDENT ON HIS GOOD BEHAVIOUR. THE EMPHASIS ON EDUCATION ENABLES ANY OFFENDER WITH AN APTITUDE FOR MOTOR ENGINEERING TO TAKE RECOGNIZED TRAINING COURSES IN THE FIELD. BANGER RACING (RACING OLD CARS) IS THE DOMINANT FEATURE OF THE CENTER CURRICULUM. THE APPEALS OF BANGER RACING TO THE YOUNG ARE GREAT AND LEGALITIES INVOLVED MINIMAL DUE TO STRICT SAFETY REGULATIONS. CENTER RESIDENTS MUST REBUILD THE OLD DILAPIDATED CARS, AND TWO PERSONS ARE ASSIGNED TO EACH BANGER, ONE DRIVER AND ONE MECHANIC. ALLOWING RESIDENTS ACCESS TO EQUIPMENT SUCH AS WELDING, PAINT-SPRAYING, BODY BUILDING, AND ENGINE TUNING INCREASES THEIR INTEREST IN CARS AND RESIDENTS GRADUALLY ACCEPT A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS LAWS GOVERNING MOTORING. BECAUSE THE PROJECT IS NO LONGER EXPERIMENTAL, AND HAS ATTRACTED WIDESPREAD INTEREST, YOUNG AUTO-CRIME OFFENDERS AND THEIR NEEDS SHOULD BE REAPPRAISED IN THE LIGHT OF ITS SUCCESS. STATISTICS OF THE PROJECT ARE GIVEN. (MJW)