Part Aboriginal Juvenile Offenders - Some Considerations of Care and Treatment

• NCJ Number: 70255
• Journal: Australian Journal of Social Issues Volume: 13 Issue: 2 Dated: (1978) Pages: 104-111
• Author(s): M Griffiths
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

Western Australia must render its program for young aboriginal juvenile offenders more specific to these persons' needs and at the same time strive to develop more community programs for aboriginal populations.

Abstract

While closed maximum security institutions offer concentrated treatment prospects for young aborigines, aborigines, it is often difficult for these youngsters to generalize these new behaviors to the outside. Open or community-based settings for corrections operate on the principle that offenders are best treated within their own environments. However, aboriginal offenders generally come from depressed, marginal, and alienated community groups that are unable and at times unwilling to support the treatment program. Thus, if these young offenders are treated in wider community settings, they may be unable to transfer newly learned skills to their own social environment. Skill packages and programs for aboriginal offenders should be changed to emphasize developing interaction and communication skills, positive self-images and greater self-awareness, and an expanded world view. Specialized training for general child care staff should emphasize both classroom learning and direct personal contacts outside the classroom, and more aboriginal people should be involved in the treatment process. Continuity of contact with the staff should be assured throughout the treatment program. Additionally, a training center or college should be established for young part-aboriginal offenders, which is designed to maintain cohesiveness within the community and involve the entire community in its operation and development. The program would be concentrated on those offenders whose offenses are thought to be a consequence of social and environmental factors, rather than serious psychological maladjustment. In this way behavior modification principles will become more specific to the community. Two references are provided.