NCJ Number
145280
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 57 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1993) Pages: 53-58
Date Published
1993
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The issue of whether group home programs is a good concept is examined.
Abstract
At a group home program in a midwestern State, 152 randomly selected cases were reviewed. All the juvenile delinquents had been admitted between January 1, 1988 and December 1990. Among them, 95 (62.5 percent) successfully completed the program and were deemed "improved." The remaining 57 (37.5 percent) failed. Treatment prior to referral to the program was found to be a significant positive factor, especially with clients who were in the early stages of delinquency. A significant negative factor was prior incarceration. Thus, the recently popular "get tough" approach which appears promising at face value may be undermining the juvenile justice system's efforts to serve its clientele. For maximum effectiveness, group home treatment programs should be given priority rather than considered a last alternative after other options have failed. 4 tables and 18 references