NCJ Number
167000
Date Published
1995
Length
70 pages
Annotation
An analysis of British projects designed to prevent juvenile delinquency by exposing youth to prisons and inmates concluded that a potential may exist for developing day visit projects that aim to educate youth rather than scare them straight.
Abstract
The first such project opened at the Garth Prison in 1991; 12 were in operation and nine more were being planned by the end of 1994. Research information was collected by means of a review of the literature and case studies of three projects that used site visits; interviews with referral agencies and youth; and informal discussions with the inmates and staff involved. The literature review revealed no definitive indications that such programs in the United States have had a significant impact on offending. The three case studies revealed three very different approaches to juvenile delinquency prevention. Inmates appears to be enthusiastic and genuinely committed to preventing youthful offending. Findings suggested that the lack of reliable information to youth on the nature of imprisonment indicates considerable potential for developing purely educational projects that reveal to school children the reality of life inside British prisons. Such projects should include formal assessment procedures and regular feedback from referral agencies. Additional findings and recommendations, footnotes, list of other publications from the same organization, and 13 references