NCJ Number
87146
Journal
Harvard Educational Review Volume: 44 Issue: 1 Dated: (1974) Pages: 74-111
Date Published
1974
Length
40 pages
Annotation
The Massachusetts Department of Youth Services (DYS) has closed the traditional training schools for juvenile offenders and replaced them with various alternative community-based residential and nonresidential services.
Abstract
The push for reform came from several sources: studies showing high recidivism rates among training school graduates, the development of new ideologies of treatment in the human services (e.g., counseling and therapy will lead to better social adjustment), and those concerned with protecting children's civil rights. Following a series of crises in the State's youth correctional services, the governor appointed a new commission of the reorganized DYS in 1969. He took charge with a mandate to initiate more progressive policies and treatment of delinquent youth. The new administration sought to demonstrate the value of new treatment models, despite resistance from long-term staff. Following 2 years of constant resistance and crises, the new administration found itself unable to change staff attitudes or to impose a therapeutic community in all juvenile offender 'cottages.' Thus, in 1971-72, DYS closed two major institutions and placed inmates in the community. Seven regional offices were organized to implement decentralized community-based services. Regionalization has immeasurably improved services to youths in DYS. New detention, court liaison, and referral programs have been developed, and the range of detention alternatives has been greatly increased. New special programs for dangerous and disturbed juvenile offenders have been started. How to maintain control over the quality of programs contracted to private agencies is a problem requiring immediate attention. Interviews with staff and youth so far show a positive response of youth to the new programs. Study data and footnotes are supplied.