NCJ Number
133972
Journal
Journal of Crime and Justice Volume: 14 Issue: 1 Dated: (1991) Pages: 27-52
Date Published
1991
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This report describes 20 community-based correctional programs that emphasize employment and work experience for juvenile offenders and that contrast with most probation and parole approaches by using an active, behavioral approach that aims to change the image of offenders in local communities.
Abstract
These programs were established in the 1980's. Observations, interviews, and reviews of program records showed that they emphasize two themes in marketing the concept of offender employment: the public value and economic benefits of offender work and the use of strict and consistent supervision to ensure both public safety and work quality. These themes have been crucial to overcoming community resistance. Some programs have established advisory committees to recommend community beautification and other projects that would improve the quality of public life in the community. A typical pattern in generating support has been to start small; do a superior job in short-term, highly visible work projects; and take advantage of the public relations value of the effort. Proponents of this active approach to youth employment note that their programs have accomplished productive work, rewarded youth with legitimate income, provided a closely supervised means of "incapacitating" offenders in the community, provided behavioral requirements for community supervision, and offered a new public image for serious offenders and at-risk youth. Notes and 93 references