NCJ Number
45808
Date Published
1977
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM FOR JUVENILE DELINQUENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES IS DESCRIBED WHICH INCORPORATES THE DELIVERY OF APPROPRIATE CLINICAL SERVICES WITHIN AN AUTHORITATIVE AND COERCIVE FRAMEWORK.
Abstract
THE PROGRAM IS RUN BY COMMUNITY COMMITMENT INCORPORATED (CCI) IN BUCKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. ALL JUVENILES ADMITTED TO CCI ARE UNDER FULL PROBATION, AND CCI STAFF AND PROBATION OFFICERS WORK TOGETHER. BEING PRIMARILY A DEMONSTRATION PROJECT, A STRICTLY SCIENTIFIC EVALUATION OF PROGRAM SUCCESS IS NOT POSSIBLE. HOWEVER, OF 111 JUVENILES RELEASED FROM THE PROGRAM BETWEEN 1972 AND 1975, 78 (70.3 PERCENT) WERE SUCCESSFUL, I.E. NOT COMMITTED TO A JUVENILE INSTITUTION FOLLOWING RELEASE NOR CERTIFIED TO AN ADULT COURT DURING THE AT-RISK PERIOD. THE HIGHEST FAILURE RATE WAS FOR THOSE ADJUDICATED FOR DRUG VIOLATIONS. THE PROGRAM EMPHASIZES THE CREATIVE USE OF FORCE THROUGH PARENTAL AUTHORITY AND IS BASED ON THE PHILOSOPHY THAT REHABILITATION REQUIRES BOTH TREATMENT AND DISCIPLINE. PARENTAL FORCE IS USED TO FILL THE GAP BETWEEN VOLUNTARY DIVERSIONARY PROGRAMS ON THE ONE HAND AND INSTITUTIONALIZATION ON THE OTHER. BASED ON THIS PHILOSOPHY, THE PROGRAM INCORPORATES GROUP AND FAMILY THERAPY IN WHICH THE COUNSELOR ACTS AS A DIRECTIVE PARENTAL FIGURE, PARENT-ASSISTED EDUCATION APPROPRIATE TO THE NEEDS AND ABILITIES OF THE JUVENILE, JUVENILE ADVOCACY AND UTILIZATION OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES, POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION AND URINALYSIS FOR DRUG ABUSE, WRITTEN CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENTS, SHORT-TERM DETENTION, WORK EXPERIENCE, AND FLEXIBILITY OF RULES AND PROCEDURES TO MEET SPECIAL CLIENT NEEDS. IN ADDITION, MORE DIFFICULT CLIENTS MAY BE ASSIGNED A NONJUDGEMENTAL SUPPORTIVE THERAPIST WHILE ANOTHER AGENT SUPPLIES PRESSURE FOR CHANGE, OR SMALL GROUPS OF DELINQUENTS MAY BE ASSIGNED A LIVE-IN STAFF MEMBER WHO ASSUMES TOTAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEM ON A FULL-TIME BASIS. A CLIENT WHO IS TOTALLY DISSATISFIED WITH THE PROGRAM MAY BE GIVEN THE OPTION OF BECOMING A 'CREATIVE RUNAWAY' ON THE CONDITION THAT HE GO AT LEAST 100 MILES FROM HOME AND IS ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP AND CONDUCT DURING A PERIOD OF 9 TO 12 MONTHS ON HIS OWN. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT WHILE THERE MAY BE NO MAGIC CURE FOR JUVENILE DELINQUENCY, COMBINING ELEMENTS OF CONTROL WITH HELPING ELEMENTS CAN HAVE POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE REHABILITATION OF JUVENILE DELINQUENTS. THE AGREEMENT FORM SIGNED BETWEEN THE CLIENT AND CCI IS REPRODUCED. (JAP)