NCJ Number
45553
Date Published
1977
Length
11 pages
Annotation
TREATMENT OF THE JUVENILE OFFENDER AT BOSCOVILLE, AN INSTITUTION FOR YOUTHS LOCATED IN MONTREAL, CANADA, IS EXAMINED FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF REINTRODUCING THE DELINQUENT INTO SOCIETY.
Abstract
THE DELINQUENT PLACED BY A JUDGE INTO THE REEDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENT OF BOSCOVILLE IS VERY OFTEN JUST UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE. IT IS USUALLY NOT HIS FIRST OFFENSE, AND HIS COMPULSION TO RELAPSE INTO CRIME LABELS HIM A YOUNG CRIMINAL, WHO CANNOT BE SET FREE AGAIN WITHOUT SERIOUS RISK TO HIMSELF AND TO OTHERS. HIS INITIAL FEELINGS OF SOCIAL ALIENATION MAY GIVE WAY TO A NARCISSISTIC REGRESSION IN WHICH HE EXPERIENCES A FALSE SENSE OF COMPLETE CONTROL OVER HIS IMPULSES AND DESTINY AND ASSERTS THAT HE HAS NO PLACE IN A REEDUCATION ESTABLISHMENT. THE FIRST DECISIVE TURNING POINT IN THE REEDUCATION OF THE DELINQUENT COINCIDES WITH THE MOMENT HE FEELS PREPARED TO BECOME INTEGRATED IN A GROUP WHOSE MEMBERS HAVE ALREADY ACCEPTED THEIR OWN REEDUCATION UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF A TEAM OF EDUCATORS. A SECOND TURNING POINT IS REACHED WHEN THE DELINQUENT IS BEGINNING TO FREE HIMSELF FROM THE ILLUSION OF THE PERVERSITY OF HIS NATURE AND TO ENVISAGE THE POSSIBILITY OF A CHANGE THAT WILL MAKE HIM CAPABLE OF MEETING THE DEMANDS OF LIFE IN SOCIETY. A SUCCESSFUL REHABILITATION IMPLIES A DELICATE AND DIFFICULT STEP DURING WHICH THE DELINQUENT HAS TO RETRACE THE STAGES THAT LED HIM TOWARD SOCIAL ALIENATION. FOR THE PURPOSES OF HIS REHABILITATION, HIS NATURAL MILIEU WILL HAVE TO OFFER A SETTING THAT IS JUST AS FAVORABLE AS THE ONE OFFERED BY THE CORRECTION CENTER FOR HIS REEDUCATION. (DAS)