NCJ Number
91395
Date Published
1982
Length
0 pages
Annotation
Following a presentation that identifies factors associated with successful programs with serious juvenile offenders and some mention of model programs for serious juvenile offenders, a presentation describes a Florida program for undersocialized juvenile offenders to help them develop employable skills.
Abstract
Characteristics of successful programs for serious juvenile offenders include individualized evaluation and treatment plans, a focus on reentry, structure and supervision, followup services, a high ratio of staff to youth, program stages that structure development, emphasis on family, a system of incentives, use of highly trained and committed staff, the use of program graduates, and an emphasis on restitution. The Florida program discussed is targeted toward juveniles chronically involved in burglaries and robberies. The youth are diagnosed as being undersocialized, i.e., lacking in the development of the skills required to live normatively. The program is work and activity oriented, consisting of four phases: (1) punishment, which involves living in tents in wilderness areas while working on ecological projects; (2) living in trailers and working on ecological projects for pay, which goes for maintenance, possible restitution, and the youth's personal needs; (3) living at home while being trained in employability skills and (4) working at a job in the community while remaining under intensive supervision. Failure at any phase beyond the first phase involves being moved back to the previous phase. Questions and answers following the presentations are included on the tape.