Synopsis of the Findings, Conclusions and Recommendations From the Evaluational Study of the Department's Youth Assistance Programs

• NCJ Number: 82476
• Author(s): C H Nygard
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 18 pages
• Corporate Author: New York State Dept of Correctional Services
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Findings and recommendations are presented from a process evaluation of New York State's Youth Assistance Programs (YAP), programs designed to impress upon juvenile delinquents the realities of prison life so as to deter them from serious crime.

Abstract

YAP offered at two State correctional facilities parallel the objectives of New Jersey's 'Scared Straight' program offered at Rahway Prison. A quasi-experimental evaluation of 'Scared Straight' indicated it had subsequent negative effects on program participants compared to controls. The findings of the Rahway evaluation led YAP to shift its emphasis from intimidation and fear-producing tactics to education of clients; however, efforts to camouflage the intimidation contained in the message conveyed to youth exposed to the program are unconvincing. Although placement and screening procedures attempt to screen out those youth who might be harmed by the program, these procedures lack precision and empirical evaluation. Post-exposure reinforcement and alternatives seem confused and uncoordinated. Overall, there is a lack of empirical information on program outcomes related to program processes interacting with client characteristics. Until evidence is provided on outcome and the contingencies affecting it, the public accountability of YAP will suffer.