NCJ Number
72437
Date Published
1980
Length
12 pages
Annotation
The origin, history, and operating principles of Camp Brighton are described. The experimental conservation camp for convicted young offenders is a project directly operated by the newly established Youth Division of the Michigan Department of Corrections.
Abstract
The Camp Brighton program includes only youthful offenders under 21 years of age thereby insulating them from harmful influences of older inmates in the young offender category (up to 25 years of age). Early administrative changes that improved youth morale included wresting control over selection and training of foremen for the work crews from the State Department of Natural Resources and selecting camp supervisors and counselors by the newly established youth division. Other camp operating principles were the maintenance of security and discipline without compromising individual dignity (e.g., the use of names and not numbers by the camp staff), keeping youths informed of the camp's philosophy, purposes, and plans, and treating youths fairly. High priority was given to mandatory group counseling as the focal exercise of small group interaction. Volunteer counselors from the community, nearby colleges, and the camp population were selected and given supervised on-the-job training. Honesty in communicating with youths and counseling group anonymity were emphasized. Measures were taken that insured support and cooperation from the neighboring community following an incident that occurred while linkages did not exist between the community and the camp administration. Spin-offs from the successful Camp Brighton operation were a Probation Recovery Camp for young offenders for whom community placement was deemed inappropriate, and the Resident Home Program, designed for community placement of young offenders. Involvement of the nearby community prior to program inception and intimate interconnections between program administration and actual operations are prerequisites for successful youth corrections projects. One reference is provided.