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Politics of Juvenile Awareness Programs - A Case Study of JOLT (Juvenile Offenders Learn Truth)

NCJ Number
82571
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 9 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1981) Pages: 55-68
Author(s)
R J Homant; G Osowski
Date Published
1982
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Michigan's Department of Corrections recently completed an evaluation of Project JOLT, a 'Scared Straight' type of program. The evaluation was unable to uncover any benefits to juveniles from the program, and therefore the department recommended its cancellation.
Abstract
This, in turn, resulted in a public hearing at which this recommendation was challenged by raising a number of considerations that went beyond the evaluation study. This article clarifies the debate between the two sides and raises some theoretical, methodological, and political issues surrounding the Scared Straight approach. (Publisher abstract)