Implementing "Corrections of Place" Ideas: The Perspective of Clients and Staff

• NCJ Number: 217387
• Journal: Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 34 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2007 Pages: 76-95
• Author(s): Jodi Lane; Susan Turner; Terry Fain; Amber Sehgal
• Date Published: January 2007
• Length: 20 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article presents evaluation findings for Ventura County's (California) South Oxnard Challenge Project (SOCP), a juvenile probation program designed to implement Clear's (1996) "corrections of place" (COP) model, which focuses on "place" (community safety and quality of life) rather than offender supervision as a means of managing juvenile probationers' behavior.

Abstract

The evaluation found few statistically significant differences between SOCP and control youths' perceptions of factors related to the SOCP's youth, family, community, and victim goals. The clients interviewed did not notice much difference between the SOCP and routine probation, although many youths in both groups (not a majority) felt their lives improved while on probation. SOCP staff, on the other hand, felt they were doing much more than regular probation to meet the needs of the offenders, families, community, and victims. The few caregivers interviewed believed the SOCP was better at helping them build skills and resources to help their children compared with regular probation. This difference between client and staff perceptions of the SOCP compared with regular probation may be due to the fact that probationers were still required to fulfill probation conditions similar to those of the comparison group. The SOCP was located in the heart of South Oxnard at a community center that also housed recreational facilities, a library, and a day-care program. An effort was made to make the offices inviting and comfortable, in contrast to standard probation offices with multiple security features. Staff worked as a team to determine treatment approaches and deliver services in consultation with each youth and his/her family. Plans focused on the youth's acceptance of responsibility, improved relationship with family, and services to the victims and the community. The evaluation measured SOCP youths' (n=264), regular-probation youths' (n=275), SOCP staff's, and caregivers' perceptions of the program's impact. 4 tables, 12 notes, and 42 references