NCJ Number
26155
Date Published
1973
Length
51 pages
Annotation
A DESCRIPTION AND ASSESSMENT OF THIS PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES A RESIDENTIAL FACILITY, CRISIS PLACEMENTS, AND DROP-IN COUNSELING FOR JUVENILE GIRLS LEAVING THE MINNESOTA HOME SCHOOL IN SAUK CENTRE.
Abstract
THE MAIN FOCUS OF THE GROUP RESIDENCE IS THE REGULAR RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM FOR THOSE GIRLS PLACED AT THE FACILITY FOLLOWING THEIR RELEASE FROM THE HOME SCHOOL. IN THIS MANNER, THE PROGRAM IS SIMILAR TO A HALF-WAY HOUSE, ALLOWING GIRLS A CHANCE TO ADJUST TO LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY. ON ENTERING THE PROGRAM, THE GIRL AND THE STAFF NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT WHICH DETAILS THE GIRL'S PROGRAM WHILE SHE IS A RESIDENT. IN ADDITION TO INDIVIDUALIZED COUNSELING, THE GIRLS ARE INVOLVED IN EDUCATIONAL AND REHABILITATIVE PROGRAMS. INFORMATION ON STAFF AND CLIENTS IS PROVIDED. THIRTY-ONE OF THE REGULAR RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN TERMINATED FROM THE PROGRAM. OF THESE ONLY 29.1 PERCENT COULD BE CONSIDERED SUCCESSFUL TERMINATIONS. HOWEVER, ONLY 19.4 PERCENT WERE PLACED IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS ON LEAVING THE PROGRAM. A FOLLOW-UP STUDY OF 26 FORMER GROUP RESIDENTS AND 31 GIRLS RELEASED DIRECTLY TO THE COMMUNITY FROM THE HOME SCHOOL WAS CONDUCTED. THE TWO GROUPS DIFFERED SIGNIFICANTLY WITH RESPECT TO DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS AND ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN ONCE RELEASED. WHEN OFFENSES AFTER RELEASE WERE COMPARED FOR THE TWO GROUPS, FIFTY PERCENT OF BOTH GROUPS WERE FOUND TO RECIDIVATE. THUS, NO DIFFERENCE IN THIS RESPECT WAS FOUND BETWEEN THOSE WHO WENT THROUGH THE GROUP RESIDENCE AND THOSE WHO DID NOT, ALTHOUGH THE NON-RESIDENTIAL GROUP WAS CONSIDERED TO BE LESS LIKELY TO RECIDIVATE.