NCJ Number
43394
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 41 Issue: 2 Dated: (JUNE 1977) Pages: 35-39
Date Published
1977
Length
5 pages
Annotation
IMPLEMENTATION OF A HUMAN RELATIONS INSERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM IN A JUVENILE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION AND ITS IMPACT ON THE INSTITUTION ARE DESCRIBED. THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED INTRODUCING THE COURSE ARE DETAILED.
Abstract
A 'HELPING SKILLS' TRAINING PROGRAM WAS IMPLEMENTED IN THE ROCKVILLE TRAINING CENTER, IND., A YOUTH CENTER, HOUSING ABOUT 60 MALES AGED 12 TO 16, ADJUDICATED BY COMMUNITY COURT SYSTEMS WITHIN THE STATES. THE TWO INITIAL TRAINING GROUPS SHOWED GREAT HOSTILITY AND RESISTANCE BECAUSE THE PROGRAM HAD NOT BEEN INTRODUCED WELL AND WAS PERCEIVED AS A CRITICISM OF THE WAY THE STAFF HAD BEEN PERFORMING. ALSO, ONCE A WEEK FOR 10 WEEKS PROVED TO BE TOO LONG A TIME SPAN. AFTER THE INITIAL SESSIONS, THE PROGRAM WAS MORE CAREFULLY INTRODUCED, AN ENTIRE SESSION WAS USED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT THE PROGRAM COULD AND COULD NOT DO, AND NO ATTEMPTS WERE MADE AT SELF-ANALYSIS. THE COURSE WAS ALSO SHORTENDED TO TWICE A WEEK FOR 5 WEEKS. AS MORE AND MORE GRADUATES FOUND NEW SKILLS, ACCEPTANCE INCREASED. POSITIVE BENEFITS HAVE BEEN A CHANGE IN THE STUDENT REWARD SYSTEM FROM A NEGATIVE REWARD TO A POSITIVE SYSTEM, A GREATER FEELING OF UNITY AMONG STAFF, GREATER WILLINGNESS TO SHARE PROBLEMS WITH SUPERVISORS, AND FEWER DISCIPLINARY REPORTS ON STUDENTS BECAUSE THE COUNSELORS ARE NOW WORKING HARDER WITH INDIVIDUAL BOYS. ALSO THE COUNSELORS ARE USING THEIR TIME MORE EFFECTIVELY, SPENDING LESS TIME ON PAPERWORK AND MORE ON GROUP MEETINGS. SOME OF THE BOYS INDICATE THEY WOULD RATHER STAY AT THE TRAINING CENTER THAN GO HOME BECAUSE AT THE CENTER SOMEONE REALLY CARES ABOUT THEM.