NCJ Number
45565
Journal
CRIME ET/AND JUSTICE Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: (AUGUST 1977) Pages: 110-117
Date Published
1977
Length
8 pages
Annotation
AN OVERVIEW OF STUDIES ON EFFECTIVENESS OF RESIDENTIAL JUVENILE CORRECTIONS AND COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS SHOWS NEITHER IS SUPERIOR AND BOTH FALL SHORT OF GOALS.
Abstract
TRAINING SCHOOL EVALUATIONS FROM ENGLAND, FRANCE, SWEDEN, THE UNITED STATES, AND CANADA ARE REVIEWED TO DETERMINE THE MOST EFFECTIVE PARAMETERS FOR EVALUATION AS WELL AS RESULTS OBTAINED WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF TRAINING SCHOOL PROGRAMS. THE CHAMPLAIN SCHOOL STUDY IN CANADA IS THEN EXAMINED IN DETAIL. THE OVERVIEW FOUND THAT THE TYPE OF INSTITUTION HAD LESS IMPACT UPON RECIDIVISM RATES THAN THE POPULATION OF THE INSTITUTION AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STAFF AND OFFENDER. THE CHAMPLAIN SCHOOL, WHICH HOPED TO INCREASE SOCIAL AWARENESS AND BRING ABOUT BEHAVIOR CHANGE WITH A SYSTEM OF REWARDS, FOUND THAT THE BOYS SOON LEARNED TO MANIPULATE THE SYSTEM AND RECEIVED MORE SATISFACTION FROM COVERT DEVIANT BEHAVIOR THAN THEY DID FROM PROGRAM PARTICIPATION. THE ALTERNATIVES OFFERED TO THE BOYS DID NOT INTEREST THEM AND THE COUNSELLORS WERE OFTEN FACED WITH PROBLEMS BEYOND THEIR CONTROL. IN GENERAL, THE YOUNGSTERS FAILED TO ASSESS THEIR BEHAVIOR IN TERMS OF THE FUTURE, DID NOT LEARN COOPERATION OR SOCIALLY ACCEPTED BEHAVIOR, AND ADMIRED THE REAL DELINQUENT WHO WAS SUCCESSFUL IN MANIPULATING THE SYSTEM TO ACHIEVE REWARDS. THE ALTERNATIVES TO TRAINING SCHOOLS DO NOT SEEM MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE, ALTHOUGH THEY ARE CHEAPER AND MORE HUMANE. RAAB REPORTS FISHMAN'S 3.5-YEAR STUDY OF 2860 MEN AND ADOLESCENTS PARTICIPATING IN 18 COMMUNITY-BASED TREATMENT PROGRAMS CONDUCTED IN NEW YORK. OF THE INMATES FREED FROM THE PROGRAMS BY THE COORDINATION BOARD ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE, 41 PERCENT OR 1182 WERE ARRESTED 2072 TIMES DURING THE REVISION YEAR; 29 PERCENT HAD BEEN REARRESTED FOR VIOLENT CRIMES WHICH RESULTED IN 50 VICTIMS KILLED OR RAPED AND 55 ROBBED OR SERIOUSLY ASSAULTED. AMONG THE JUVENILES AGED 13-15, THE REARREST RATE WAS 51 PERCENT, WITH ONE-THIRD COMMITTING A VIOLENT CRIME. DIVERSION DOES NOT ALWAYS DRAW POSITIVE REACTIONS; IT IS THE WAY IN WHICH IT IS APPLIED THAT BRINGS RESULTS. THESE STUDIES ARE CALLED A CHALLENGE TO CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS, PRACTITIONERS, AND RESEARCHERS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE TIME TO DEAL WITH THE CHILD WHO MIGHT GET INTO TROUBLE IS BEFORE HE OR SHE ENTERS THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. INSTITUTIONS OUTSIDE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM SHOULD INTENSIFY THEIR EFFORTS TO REACH SUCH CHILDREN, INCLUDING MEASURES NECESSARY TO GIVE SUPPORT TO THE FAMILY. (GLR)