NCJ Number
94436
Date Published
Unknown
Length
34 pages
Annotation
The Prince George's County Department of Corrections (Maryland) has developed a program to assist the community in fighting juvenile delinquency.
Abstract
The three goals of the 'See Our Side Program' are to inform youth about the harsh realities of incarceration, to assist the community in its efforts to reduce the incidents of juvenile delinquency, and to offer the court system an alternative treatment plan for juvenile offenders. The program presents an educational programming approach. Selected juvenile offenders are given a programmed tour of a local jail designed to teach them aversion to the prospects of crime. Proper training of staff members in group dynamics and juvenile justice is vital to the program's success. A speakers bureau is used as an outreach component of the program. The program is divided into four phases: orientation by staff, tour of the institution, meeting with selected inmates, and a debriefing discussion with staff. After completing a tour of the facility, the youngster is asked to complete a brief evaluation of the program. He is then given a certificate of completion. Program components are described and representative samples of important paperwork such as letters to parents and waiver forms are included.