NCJ Number
84203
Editor(s)
R Adams,
J Baldwin,
S Allard,
J Thomas
Date Published
1981
Length
340 pages
Annotation
Six British juvenile 'intermediate' diversion programs are described and compared in the areas of objectives, organization, practice, and evaluation.
Abstract
Following an examination of some of the political and social policy changes which have affected society's response to problem youth, especially in postwar Britain, the philosophical and theoretical roots from which intermediate treatment has emerged are discussed. Intermediate treatment consists of community-based projects for problem children and youth. Since intermediate treatment has developed or failed to develop within the framework and constraints of central and local government organization, this organizational framework is examined, and a classification of existing models of intermediate treatment is offered. The six case studies represent the following classifications of intermediate treatment: (1) special evening groups, which involves groups of about 10 youth meeting with social workers one evening a week, supplemented by one or more residential weekends over a 6-9 month period; (2) day and evening centers, which usually provide alternative schooling for truanting or disruptive juveniles or an alternative to residential care for delinquents; and (3) residential centers, which provide short-term residential intermediate treatment courses of varying lengths. Following a comparison of the case studies in the areas of objectives, organization, practice, and evaluation, conclusions are drawn about directions for intermediate treatment along with social justice and problem youth. A discussion of the legal and administrative framework for intermediate treatment and an outline of the case study approach are appended. Thirty references and author and subject indexes are provided.