NCJ Number
79768
Date Published
1981
Length
61 pages
Annotation
This study was designed to determine the impact of the Insiders program, a 'scared straight' type of juvenile awareness program organized and run by inmates at the Virginia State Penitentiary since 1978.
Abstract
A total of 80 juvenile delinquents from 3 southwest Virginia court service units were randomly assigned to participate or not participate in the Insiders program. The frequency of intakes and severity of intake offense of the two groups were compared 6, 9, and 12 months before and after attending the Insiders program. Insiders participants had significantly fewer intakes and less serious intake offenses than nonparticipants 9 months and 1 year after being in the program. Participants and nonparticipants did not differ significantly in frequency or seriousness of intake after 6 months. The two groups did not differ as to the presence or absence of additional intakes at either the 6-, 9-, or 12-month followups. The results are seen as consistent with previous studies which have used as the criterion for program success -- a reduction in delinquent behavior -- rather than the more strict criterion of elimination of all subsequent offenses. It is suggested that a 6-month followup period may be too short to detect program impacts and that future studies use longer followups. The study concludes that the Insiders program does contribute toward reducing juvenile delinquency. Tables, seven references, and appended related information are provided. (Author abstract modified)