NCJ Number
49278
Date Published
1977
Length
34 pages
Annotation
THE OCEAN TIDES PROGRAM, PROVIDING SERVICES TO THE JUVENILE OFFENDER POPULATION IN RHODE ISLAND, IS EVALUATED IN TERMS OF ITS DELIVERY OF A NETWORK OF SERVICES TO BOTH CLIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
Abstract
SINCE THE FIRST-PHASE PROGRAM EVALUATION REPORT WAS COMPLETED IN JANUARY 1977, SEVERAL IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE IN SERVICES. THEY INVOLVE AFTERCARE, FAMILY SERVICES, THE PUBLIC SCHOOL REENTRY PROGRAM, TREATMENT PLANNING AND GOAL SETTING, THE EXPANDED USE OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES, INSERVICE TRAINING, EXPANDED FACILITIES, AND PROGRESS TOWARD SELF-SUFFICIENCY. THE PROGRAM HAS CLARIFIED THE USE OF THE TEAM APPROACH TO TREATMENT AND HAS COORDINATED TEAM FUNCTIONING WITHIN THE STAFF STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAM TO A FULLER EXTENT. AS OF APRIL 1977, SIX CLIENTS HAD COMPLETED THE PROGRAM AND ENTERED THE AFTERCARE PHASE. THESE CLIENTS HAVE RETURNED TO THE COMMUNITY AND HAVE NOT VIOLATED THE LAW. SIXTEEN CLIENTS HAVE COMPLETED THE PROGRAM SINCE ITS INCEPTION AND ALL BUT THREE HAVE REMAINED OUT OF TROUBLE. THE THREE WHO COMMITTED FURTHER LAW VIOLATIONS ARE IN TRAINING SCHOOL, AND ONE IS BEING CONSIDERED FOR READMISSION TO THE PROGRAM. IN THE THREE CASES, THE CLIENTS WERE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR DISCHARGE BY PROGRAM STAFF BUT WERE REVIEWED BY THE COURT AND RELEASED UPON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THEIR FAMILIES. THE RECIDIVISM RATE FOR THE PROGRAM IS APPROXIMATELY 19 PERCENT, MAKING A SUCCESS RATE OF 81 PERCENT. STAFF INDICATE THAT BOYS RELEASED PRIOR TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AFTERCARE COMPONENT OF THE PROGRAM MAY BE EXPERIENCING SOME DIFFICULTIES IN THE COMMUNITY BUT HAVE REMAINED CRIME-FREE OR AT LEAST CONVICTION-FREE BASED ON MONTHLY PROBATION AND PAROLE REPORTS. THE OCEAN TIDES PROGRAM WAS FUNDED FOR 2 YEARS BY LEAA THROUGH 1977. PROGRAM OFFICIALS DECIDED NOT TO REAPPLY FOR THIRD-YEAR FUNDING SUPPORT SINCE STATE SUPPORT IS NOW AVAILABLE. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE PROGRAM AND CLIENT SELF-EVALUATION AND RATING FORMS ARE CONTAINED IN ATTACHMENTS. (DEP)