NCJ Number
57867
Date Published
1978
Length
86 pages
Annotation
REHABILITATION PROGRAMS OF THE U.S. DISCIPLINARY BARRACKS (USDB) FOR MILITARY INMATES AND THE ALTERNATIVE OF COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONS FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS ARE EXPLORED.
Abstract
THE FUTURE OF THE USDB AND THE CORRECTIONAL PROGRAM OF THE U.S. ARMY IS IN A STATE OF CONTROVERSY. SOME ARGUE THAT THE USDB IS OUTDATED AND TOO EXPENSIVE TO MAINTAIN, WHILE OTHERS CONTEND THAT THE USDB IS NEEDED TO PROVIDE REHABILITATIVE PROGRAMS FOR LONG-TERM INMATES, AND THAT THE USDB CAN BECOME SELF-SUSTAINING WITH AN EXPANSION OF INDUSTRY. TO HELP RESOLVE THE CONTROVERSY, CONSIDERATION WAS GIVEN TO EFFICACY OF THE TEEN CHALLENGE PROGRAM, A COMMUNITY-BASED REHABILITATION PROGRAM, AND ITS APPLICABILITY TO USDB PROGRAMS. THE TEEN CHALLENGE PROGRAM, FOUNDED IN 1958 TO HELP JUVENILE DRUG ADDICTS AND STREET GANG MEMBERS IN NEW YORK CITY, HAS BEEN A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL REHABILITATION PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM NOT ONLY PROVIDES SERVICES TO DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSERS BUT ALSO ASSISTS JUVENILE DELINQUENTS AND INMATES. POPULATIONS OF USDB AND TEEN CHALLENGE PROGRAMS ARE SIMILAR WITH REGARD TO BACKGROUND, SEX, RELIGION, MARITAL STATUS, AND AGE. BOTH GROUPS CONSIST OF MOTIVATED JUVENILE OFFENDERS WITH HISTORIES OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE. IN ANALYZING PERCEPTIONS OF, AND KEY ELEMENTS IN, REHABILITATION, FOUR ASPECTS OF POSITIVE CHANGE EMERGE: (1) GENUINE CARING IN THE COURSE OF TRAINING WHILE INSTITUTIONALIZED; (2) INDIVIDUAL COMMITMENT TO REHABILITATION, (3) HOPE FOR THE FUTURE, AND (4) COMMUNITY SUPPORT AFTER RELEASE. COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF USDB PROGRAMS AND THE TEEN CHALLENGE PROGRAM INDICATES THAT SUCCESSFUL ELEMENTS OF REHABILITATION ARE MOST VISIBLE IN THE TEEN CHALLENGE PROGRAM. THE INTRODUCTION OF THE COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONAL ALTERNATIVE IS RECOMMENDED FOR THE USDB. SUPPORTING DATA, FOOTNOTES, AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)