Treatment of Juvenile Offenders in the Israeli Prison System: An Evaluation Study

• NCJ Number: 225112
• Author(s): Dr. Israel Katz; Shani Kuna; Yaara Leitner; Amit Arpali; Peleg Dor-Haim
• Date Published: 2008
• Length: 8 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Israel Ministry of Public Security
• Sale Source: Zofnat - Institute for Organizational Consulting, Development & Research
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: Israel
• Note: Downloaded December 16, 2008

Annotation

Findings and conclusions are summarized from a 3-year study on the treatment of adolescents in the Israeli Prison Service.

Abstract

Highlights of the study’s principal findings in the areas of incarcerated youth, prison staff, and prisoners’ parents include: (1) the clear cut system of punishment and reward, the physical borders and the rules all play a crucial role in the maintenance of order within the prison; (2) each prisoner is accompanied throughout their incarceration by a social worker, who offers support and continuity; (3) groups are the central therapeutic tool used by the prison to help prisoners confront the difficulties which led to incarceration; (4) the policy of the “Ofek” prison is based on operation manuals written over the years with gaps between the official operating doctrine and the actual practice at the prison; (5) security staff are concerned about the tension with the educational and therapeutic staff; (6) there is a large degree of variance in the level of satisfaction staff members feel from their work in “Ofek;” (7) the main difficulty the prisoners’ parents raise is the lack of knowledge about what happens to their sons in prison; and (8) the general impression is that the prison staff feels empathy and understanding for the parents’ needs. Recommendations are presented in the areas of prison staff, inmates’ progress, the relationship between “Ofek” and prisoners’ parents, and the relationship with former prisoners. This report is a shortened version of the final report which summarizes the findings, conclusions and recommendations from a 3-year study on the treatment of juveniles in the Israeli Prison Service. The study focused on the question of whether there is a justification for a separate prison for adolescents, and if so, what practices are entailed in the most efficient operation of such a facility. The outcomes show that the Israeli Prison Service aims to operate the “Ofek” prison while addressing the unique characteristics of its inmates.