NCJ Number
51188
Journal
Canadian Journal of Criminology Volume: 20 Issue: 4 Dated: (OCTOBER 1978) Pages: 409-417
Date Published
1978
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THE USE OF HALFWAY HOUSES IN FRANCE IS EXAMINED AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO CLOSED CORRECTIONAL ENVIRONMENTS FOR HARDCORE JUVENILE OFFENDERS.
Abstract
THESE OPEN RESIDENCES ARE MANAGED DIFFERENTLY THAN MANY HALFWAY HOUSES AND JUVENILE INSTITUTIONS. SMALL, OFTEN COED, GROUPS OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS ARE ASSIGNED TO THE HOUSES WHICH MAY BE LOCATED IN THE SUBURBAN QUARTERS OF PARIS. THE PROGRAM IS INSTITUTIONAL AS WELL AS COMMUNITY BASED AND CENTERS ON REINTEGRATION, NOT REHABILITATION. IT IS NOT BASED ON THE MEDICAL MODEL BUT ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT OFFENDERS ARE APT TO COMMIT CRIMES OF THEIR OWN VOLITION AND ARE NOT COMPELLED BY SOME IRRESISTABLE IMPULSE. THE STAFFS ARE REFERRED TO AS COUNSELORS, NOT HOUSE PARENTS, AND THEY ARE URGED TO STRESS REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS REGARDING THE INDIVIDUAL CONDUCT OF THE YOUTHS. IN TURN, THE PROGRAM ACCENTS PERSONAL RESP0NSIBILITY AND AN ACTIVE, COLLECTIVE SOCIAL LIFE AMONG THE JUVENILES. ON ENTERING THE RESIDENCES, THE YOUTHS AGREE TO A FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF SUPERVISED EDUCATION, WHICH PAYS THEM SUFFICIENT FUNDS FOR THEIR ROOM AND BOARD, PLUS POCKET MONEY TO BE SPENT AT THE YOUTHS' DISCRETION. AS PART OF THE CONTRACT, THIS MONEY IS TO BE PAID BACK AS THE JUVENILES FIND EMPLOYMENT; AS THE EMPLOYMENT BECOMES STEADIER AND SALARIES INCREASE, THE RATES FOR ROOM AND BOARD ALSO GRADUALLY INCREASE. THUS, THE JUVENILES ARE EXPOSED GRADUALLY TO MORE AND MORE COMPLEX LIFE SITUATIONS, AND ALTHOUGH THEY RECEIVE SUPPORT AND ADVICE FROM THE STAFF, THEY HAVE TO MAKE THEIR OWN CHOICES AND DECISIONS AND LEARN FROM THEIR OWN EXPERIENCES. THEY ARE FACED ALSO WITH THE PROSPECT OF LOSING THE PRIVILEGE OF LIVING IN THE RESIDENCES AND BEING TRANSFERED TO A CLOSED INSTITUTION OR JAIL IF THEY SYSTEMATICALLY REFUSE TO LIVE ACCORDING TO THE RULES OR IF NO EFFORT IS MADE TO LIVE UP TO THE EXPECTATIONS SET FOR THEM. THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THEY LIVE IS ONLY SEMISTRUCTURED AND ALLOWS FOR A GREAT DEAL OF SELF-EXPRESSION, SELF-INITIATIVE, AND ONGOING CONTACT WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD. IT ALSO OFFERS THE RESIDENTS A STABLE ENVIRONMENT IN TIMES OF CRISIS. REFERENCES ARE FOOTNOTED.