SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT AS A DELINQUENCY PREVENTION TECHNIQUE - AN EVALUATION OF GRANTS A72-15-41301, A72-93-41303, A72-135-41304, A72-64-41302, AND A72-151-43105 FOR THE CONNECTICUT PLAN COM ON CRIM ADMIN

• NCJ Number: 17483
• Author(s): J LYNCH
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 21 pages
• Grant Number(s): A72-15-41301; A72-93-41303; A72-135-41304; A72-64-41302; A72-151-43105
• Sponsoring Agency: Connecticut Criminal Justice Cmssn
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

EVALUATION OF PROGRAMS IN HARTFORD, BRIDGEPORT, STAMFORD, AND NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, DESIGNED TO PREVENT DELINQUENCY AMONGS YOUTHS LIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING.

Abstract

THE SPECIFIC STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAMS DIFFERED FROM CITY TO CITY BUT GENERALLY CONFORMED TO A BASIC FORMAT. EACH PROJECT EMPLOYED APPROXIMATELY 35 JUVENILES RANGING IN AGE FROM 13 TO 18 YEARS. THESE INDIVIDUALS ENGAGED IN MAINTENANCE OR CLERICAL TASKS FOR 24 HOURS PER WEEK AT AN HOURLY RATE OF $1.85. COUNSELING ACTIVITY WAS MINIMAL WITH EMPHASIS PUT ON THE EMPLOYMENT ASPECTS OF THE PROGRAM. THE EXPERIMENT CONSISTED OF COMPARING THE INCIDENCE OF POLICE CONTACT IN THE EXPERIMENTAL AND CONTROL GROUPS DURING THE PERIOD OF THE PROGRAM. THE CONTROL GROUPS WERE COMPOSED OF INDIVIDUALS NOT EMPLOYED IN THE PROGRAMS. A SUMMARY OF THE RESULTS REVEALED CONSIDERABLE VARIATION IN THE EFFECT OF THE PROGRAMS ACCORDING TO THEIR SPECIFIC STRUCTURE. IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT THE SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS DID NOT LESSEN DELINQUENCY AMONG THE PARTICIPANTS. APPENDED MATERIAL INCLUDES GENERAL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMS AND AN EXCERPT FROM A PAPER ON THE EFFECTS OF GUIDED GROUP INTERACTION ON THE BEHAVIOR OF JUVENILE DELINQUENTS DURING A SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)