NCJ Number
16956
Journal
PROBATION AND PAROLE Issue: 6 Dated: (FALL 1974) Pages: 1-6
Date Published
1974
Length
6 pages
Annotation
AN EXAMINATION OF THE PROGRAMS, FACILITIES, ORGANIZATION, POPULATION, STAFF, AND PROGRAM SUCCESS OF THE KENNEDY YOUTH CENTER (KYC) IN MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA.
Abstract
THE INSTITUTION IS AN OPEN-COTTAGE FACILITY WITH A SELECTED POPULATION OF JUVENILE, YOUTH, AND YOUNG ADULT FEDERAL LAW VIOLATORS SUITABLE FOR A MINIMUM SECURITY OPERATION. THE MAJORITY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN AUTOMOBILE THEFT, BUT VIOLATORS OF DRUG LAWS, POSTAL LAWS AND LAWS GOVERNING FEDERAL RESERVATIONS ARE NOT UNCOMMON. A PROGRAM OF DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT, WHICH EMPLOYS DIFFERENT TREATMENT TECHNIQUES FOR VARIOUS TYPES OF DELINQUENTS IS UTILIZED. FOUR CATEGORIES OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS - THE INADEQUATE-IMMATURE, THE NEUROTIC-DISTURBED, THE UNSOCIALIZED-SOCIOPATHIC AND THE SOCIALIZED-SUBCULTURAL - WERE ESTABLISHED. THE RESEARCH AND TREATMENT DESIGN CALLS FOR HOUSING OF EACH GROUP IN A SEPARATE COTTAGE WITH A UNIQUE PROGRAM. CENTRAL TO THE TOTAL INSTITUTIONAL PROGRAM IS THE CONCEPT OF OPERANT CONDITIONING, ESPECIALLY THE TOKEN ECONOMY TREATMENT METHOD. THE SPECIFIC TREATMENT PROGRAMS FOR EACH GROUP ARE DESCRIBED. ALSO DISCUSSED ARE THE INCREASING PERCENTAGE OF FEMALES TREATED AT THE KYC AND ISSUES IN EVALUATION. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)