NCJ Number
53403
Date Published
1976
Length
96 pages
Annotation
FOUR YEARS AFTER THE ABOLITION OF TRAINING SCHOOLS IN MASSACHUSETTS, A CONFERENCE WAS HELD AT STURBRIDGE IN NOVEMBER 1975 TO DEFINE PREDOMINATE JUVENILE JUSTICE ISSUES AND TO PLAN FOR CONTINUED PROGRESS.
Abstract
JUVENILE JUSTICE WORKERS FROM VARIOUS DISCIPLINES MET AT A TIME OF FISCAL STRINGENCY IN MASSACHUSETTS TO COMBINE THEIR CONCERNS AND EXPERIENCE IN A COMMON DRIVE TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF YOUTH. THE CONFERENCE SOUGHT TO REAFFIRM THE STATE'S COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS BY REEMPHASIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE PAST 4 YEARS AS WELL AS DISCUSSING NEW APPROACHES. IN 1969, ALL STATE AND COUNTY TRAINING SCHOOLS WERE CLOSED AND REPLACED BY A REGIONALIZED SYSTEM OF COMMUNITY-BASED FACILITIES. IN 1975, THE FISCAL AND POLITICAL CLIMATE BROUGHT THE NEW SYSTEM INTO CRITICAL REVIEW. THREE ISSUES WERE DISCUSSED AT THIS CONFERENCE: THE PROVISION OF SECURE SETTINGS FOR CERTAIN YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS, CONSOLIDATION OF STATE AGENCIES, AND RESOLUTION OF THE QUESTIONS OF THE RIGHT TO TREATMENT. NO CONSENSUS WAS REACHED TO DEFINE 'SECURE SETTINGS,' AND WHETHER THEY SHOULD BE INSTITUTED PRIMARILY FOR PUBLIC SAFETY OR FOR REHABILITATING THE YOUTHFUL OFFENDER. THE TRADITIONAL APPROACH WITH ITS EMPHASIS ON PUNISHMENT WAS CONSIDERED A FAILURE. TRUE SECURITY IS SEEN AS EMANATING FROM QUALITY TREATMENT AND HIGHLY TRAINED STAFF WITHIN A PHYSICALLY CONTROLLED, THERAPEUTICALLY-ORIENTED ENVIRONMENT. AS FOR CONSOLIDATION OF STATE AGENCIES, MANY PROBLEMS AROSE WHICH LEAD TO A CAUTIOUS APPROACH AT THE CONFERENCE. A COORDINATED PROGRAM MUST INCLUDE FOUR BASIC REQUIREMENTS: SURVIVAL NEEDS SUCH AS FOOD AND SHELTER, AN ADEQUATE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, AN OUTSIDE-OF-FAMILY COUNSELOR, AND AN ALTERNATIVE SUPPORT SYSTEM WHEN THE FAMILY FAILS TO FUNCTION ADEQUATELY. THE DISCUSSION ON RIGHT TO TREATMENT EXAMINED THE PUNISHMENT MODEL, THE CORRECTIVE AND THE MEDICAL MODELS, THE DIVERSIONARY MODEL, AND THE RIGHT-TO-BE-LET-ALONE MODEL. MINORITIES IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CHINESE, PORTUGUESE, AND HISPANIC YOUTH, CHILDREN FROM IMMIGRANT FAMILIES, AND FEMALE DELINQUENTS, WERE DISCUSSED. IT WAS AGREED THAT THE MASSACHUSETTS EXPERIMENT OF COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS SHOULD CONTINUE. THE RECENTLY CREATED SECURITY TASK FORCE APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF YOUTH SERVICES SET UP GUIDELINES FOR DEALING WITH YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS; THESE ARE INCLUDED IN THE DOCUMENT. THE APPENDIX CONTAINS REFERENCE NOTES AND THE CONFERENCE PROGRAM. (FCW)