SURVEY OF COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVES TO THE INCARCERATION OF YOUTH - CORRECTIONS IN THE COMMUNITY

• NCJ Number: 49247
• Author(s): J A JACOBSON
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 304 pages
• Sale Source: UMI Dissertation Services
• Publication Type: Thesis/Dissertation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY - DOCTORAL DISSERTATION

Annotation

A SURVEY OF COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS (GROUP HOMES, FOSTER CARE, PROBATION, VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS, YOUTH SERVICE BUREAUS) IN 16 MIDWESTERN STATES IS DOCUMENTED.

Abstract

THE SURVEY BROUGHT 267 RESPONSES FROM CHIEF PROBATION OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF COURT SERVICE PERSONNEL IN THE MIDWEST--A SURVEY RESPONSE RATE OF 50.19 PERCENT. FINDINGS ARE PRESENTED RELATIVE TO PROGRAM OPERATIONS, CLIENTS, STAFFING, FINANCES, PURPOSES, AND PROBLEMS. SURVEY RESPONSES INDICATE A HIGH LEVEL OF INTEREST IN ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION FOR YOUTHS. MANY RESPONDENTS EXPRESSED A NEED FOR COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS FOR YOUTHS ADJUDICATED DELINQUENT. THE NEED WAS PARTICULARLY ACUTE WITH RESPECT TO GROUP HOMES AND FOSTER CARE HOMES. DIFFICULTIES IN RECRUITING COUPLES TO SERVE AS FOSTER OR GROUP HOME PARENTS WERE NOTED BY MANY RESPONDENTS. THE SURVEY ALSO REVEALS THAT MOST JURISDICTIONS OPERATE PROBATION PROGRAMS FOR JUVENILES AND THAT JURISDICTIONS WITHOUT SUCH PROGRAMS FEEL A NEED FOR THEM. THE MAJORITY OF THE JURISDICTIONS SURVEYED WERE NOT USING VOLUNTEER WORKERS, BUT MOST RESPONDENTS REPORTED A NEED FOR VOLUNTEERS. SIMILARLY, ALTHOUGH FEW YOUTH SERVICES BUREAUS WERE FOUND, MANY RESPONDENTS EXPRESSED A NEED FOR THE BUREAUS. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY ARE OFFERED. SUPPORTING DATA, THE SURVEY INSTRUMENT, AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE INCLUDED.