NCJ Number
51280
Journal
Juvenile and Family Court Journal Volume: 29 Issue: 3, Dated: (AUGUST 1978) Pages: 29-38
Date Published
1978
Length
10 pages
Annotation
THIS STUDY EXAMINED THE PERCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS BEFORE AND AFTER A TRAINING SCHOOL CHANGED FROM A CUSTODY ORIENTATION TO A TREATMENT ORIENTATION WITH GREATER INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION.
Abstract
DATA FOR THE STUDY WERE GATHERED IN THE MIDDLE OF 1966 (INMATE POPULATION OF 130) AND AT THE END OF 1968 (INMATE POPULATION OF 160) IN A PRIVATE, NONPROFIT JUVENILE CORRECTIONAL ORGANIZATION IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. THE INSTITUTION WAS A 215-ACRE FARM WITH A HIGH SCHOOL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING. INMATES WERE MALES, AGED 15 TO 18, WITH AN AVERAGE STAY OF 16 MONTHS. THE FIRST PORTION OF THE STUDY DISCUSSES THE CONCEPT OF ORGANIZATIONAL CLIMATE AND THE THEORETICAL ASSUMPTIONS OF THE EFFECT OF THIS CLIMATE UPON INMATES. THEN THE DETAILS OF STUDY PROCEDURE ARE GIVEN, INCLUDING THE BASIC QUESTIONNAIRE. FINDINGS ARE PRESENTED IN BRIEF TABULAR FORM. UNDER THE CUSTODY ORIENTATION THE BOYS GAVE MAINLY NEGATIVE RESPONSES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ITEMS. THE GREATEST PROBLEM REVEALED WAS THE 'PUSHING AROUND' OF WEAKER BOYS, INDICATING A PEER-GROUP CULTURE EMPHASIZING VIOLENCE. THERE WAS ALSO STRONG PRESSURE TO COVER UP TROUBLE AND TO INTERACT WITH STAFF AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE. UNDER THE TREATMENT APPROACH 'PUSHING AROUND' WAS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANTLY LESS PRESSURE TO COVER UP. HOWEVER, THE 1968 GROUP REPORTED LESS PEER-APPLIED PRESSURE TO STAY OUT OF TROUBLE AND LESS EFFORT TO BECOME INVOLVED IN TREATMENT. IMPLICATIONS OF THESE MIXED FINDINGS ARE DISCUSSED. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT SOME SUPPORT IS SHOWN FOR A TREATMENT ORIENTATION. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (GLR)