NCJ Number
157883
Journal
Residential Treatment for Children and Youth Volume: 12 Issue: 2 Dated: (1994) Pages: 37-48
Date Published
1994
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Using findings from published evaluation studies and a followup study of a pilot electronic monitoring program in a large private agency providing services to juveniles, this article examines several questions regarding the use of electronic monitoring of juveniles in their communities.
Abstract
The followup study focused on program outcomes and parent satisfaction of a program at Boysville of Michigan, the largest private agency providing services to children and youth in Michigan. Each youth was closely supervised by an in-home family therapist who saw the youth and family daily, assessed the youth's behavior for treatment and placement planning, and provided short-term therapy to the family to help resolve problems that may negatively affect the youth's behavior at home or in the community. The analysis concludes that electronic monitoring of juveniles in their homes is positively regarded by youth and family members and does not represent intrusion into their privacy. In addition, electronic monitoring costs less than institutionalization of juvenile offenders. Furthermore, augmenting residential treatment with a treatment-focused in-home electronic monitoring program offers an effective alternative to residential treatment. 17 references (Author abstract modified)