NCJ Number
58059
Date Published
1977
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE TEXAS YOUTH COUNCIL, JUVENILE COURTS, AND THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE DISCUSSED IN RELATION TO THE REHABILITATION OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS, AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE COUNCIL ARE NOTED.
Abstract
VARIOUS MODELS FOR THE TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS HAVE BEEN PROPOSED, INCLUDING PUNISHMENT, MEDICAL (THERAPY AND COUNSELING), AND COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM MODELS. DESPITE THE BEST EFFORTS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, HOWEVER, SOME YOUTH WILL NOT BE REHABILITATED. THE TEXAS YOUTH COUNCIL FOCUS, THEREFORE, IS ON YOUTH WHO CAN BE HELPED THROUGH PROGRAMS OPERATED BY SCHOOLS, POLICE DEPARTMENTS, PROBATION DEPARTMENTS, AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS. THE MAJOR CONCERN OF THE TEXAS YOUTH COUNCIL IS CARING FOR CHILDREN. THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF YOUTH COMING TO THE COUNCIL, AND MOST YOUTH ARE CARED FOR IN INSTITUTIONS. TRAINING SCHOOLS OF THE COUNCIL PROVIDE A HIGHLY STRUCTURED ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN LOCAL AGENCIES CANNOT HANDLE. THE REHABILITATION OF YOUTH IN INSTITUTIONS IS NOT GUARANTEED BY THE COUNCIL, BUT YOUTH DO RECEIVE COUNSELING, EDUCATION, RECREATION, AND HUMANE TREATMENT. OFFICIALS OF THE COUNCIL BELIEVE THAT MANY YOUTH CAN BE SUCCESSFULLY TREATED IN COMMUNITY PROGRAMS. THE FEASIBILITY OF A PILOT PROGRAM TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF YOUTH IN RURAL COUNTIES IS BEING EXPLORED, AND A THREE-LEVEL FUNDING PROGRAM (COUNTY, STATE, AND FEDERAL) IS BEING CONSIDERED. THE TEXAS YOUTH COUNCIL CANNOT PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TREATMENT FACILITIES BUT IT CAN FUND SERVICES. IT IS HOPED THAT A REGIONAL DETENTION AND TREATMENT FACILITY CAN BE CONSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DETENTION SERVICES AND SERVE AS AN ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL AND COUNSELING CENTER. (DEP)