NCJ Number
26598
Date Published
1974
Length
23 pages
Annotation
AN ASSESSMENT OF THIS PROBATION PROJECT WHICH FURNISHED INTENSIVE PROBATION TO A REDUCED NUMBER OF SERIOUS DELINQUENTS IN AN EFFORT TO DIVERT THESE YOUTHS FROM INSTITUTIONALIZATION AND TO DECREASE DETENTION PERIODS.
Abstract
OTHER PROJECT OBJECTIVES WERE: TO TEST THE FEASIBILITY OF MANAGING SERIOUS DELINQUENTS IN THE COMMUNITY; TO REDUCE THE COMMITMENT RATE; TO INDIVIDUALIZE TREATMENT AND MAXIMIZE EFFECTIVE CONTROL AND SUPERVISION; AND TO DEVELOP ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT PLANS. SELECTION CRITERIA FOR THE PROGRAM ARE DESCRIBED. CASELOADS OF EIGHT TO TEN CLIENTS WERE PLANNED FOR THE PROBATION OFFICERS. EVALUATION ACTIVITIES INCLUDED ON-SITE DISCUSSIONS, A REVIEW OF PROJECT MATERIALS, REVIEWS OF REPORTS AND DATA GATHERING FORMS, DATA COLLECTION THROUGH EVALUATION FORMS AND INTERVIEWS WITH STAFF, YOUTHS, AND FAMILIES. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE STAFF HAD DEVISED INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMS FOR YOUTHS AND OPERATED AS A TEAM IN SCREENING CASES, AND THAT THE PROJECT STAFF PROVIDED A CONSULTATION RESOURCE TO THE REST OF THE DEPARTMENT. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE STAFF DID DEAL WITH A TARGET GROUP OF YOUTHS WITH SEVERE FAMILY AND DELINQUENCY PROBLEMS. IMPACT ON INSTITUTIONALIZATION WAS DIFFICULT TO ASSESS, SINCE THE DROP IN NUMBER OF YOUTHS INSTITUTIONALIZED COULD BE DUE TO OTHER FACTORS. HOWEVER, ONLY 10 OUT OF 48 SERIOUS DELINQUENTS TREATED WERE RECOMMITTED. PROJECT IMPACT ON DETENTION WAS MINIMAL. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT ALTHOUGH THE PROJECT DID NOT PROVIDE A SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT KIND OF PROGRAM, EXTENSIVE CLIENT CONTACTS WERE MADE. IN ADDITION, CONSIDERABLE STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND SKILL IMPROVEMENT RESULTED FROM THE PROGRAM.