NCJ Number
67555
Date Published
1977
Length
42 pages
Annotation
STUDIES UNDERTAKEN BY THE SINGAPORE PROBATION AND AFTERCARE SERVICE BETWEEN 1975 AND 1977 ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
THE FIRST STUDY EXAMINED THE EXTENT OF PARENTAL AWARENESS OF THEIR CHILDREN'S INVOLVEMENT WITH DRUGS. ON THE BASIS OF THE STUDY, THE PROBATION AND AFTERCARE SERVICE INTRODUCED MASS COUNSELING FOR PARENTS OF OFFENDERS PLACED ON PROBATION AND DRUG ADDICTS RELEASED FROM DRUG REHABILITATION CENTERS. ANOTHER STUDY REVIEWED THE EXTENT AND NATURE OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IN SINGAPORE BETWEEN 1971 AND 1975, SHOWING A DROP IN THE INCIDENCE OF JUVENILE CRIME IN 1975. COMPARATIVE DATA FOR 1961 THROUGH 1970 ARE ALSO PROVIDED. THE THIRD STUDY ATTEMPTED TO DISPEL THE BELIEF THAT THE MAJORITY OF ADULT CRIMINALS ARE FAILURES OF JUVENILE PROBATION. ONLY ABOUT 21.5 PERCENT OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS PLACED ON PROBATION ARE SUBSEQUENTLY COMMITTED TO PRISON OR DETAINED AT SOME TIME DURING A FOLLOWUP PERIOD OF 7 TO 9 YEARS AFTER THEIR DISCHARGE FROM PROBATION. THE FINAL STUDIES EXAMINED THE OUTCOME OF COMPULSORY AFTERCARE FOR DRUG ADDICTS PRIOR TO THE INTRODUCTION OF 'COLD TURKEY' WITHDRAWAL WITHIN THE DRUG REHABILITATION CENTERS. THE RESULTS, WHICH ARE BASED ON AN EXAMINATION OF URINE TESTS, INDICATE THAT THE FAILURE RATE HAS BEEN REDUCED TO ABOUT 40 PERCENT, COMPARED TO 90 PERCENT BEFORE COMPULSORY AFTERCARE WAS INTRODUCED. TABUILAR DATA ARE PROVIDED FOR EACH STUDY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)