NCJ Number
65321
Date Published
1979
Length
40 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT SUMMARIZES A 1979 WORKSHOP TO EXPLORE ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS, ESPECIALLY STATUS OFFENDERS, IN WEST VIRGINIA.
Abstract
WORKSHOP GOALS WERE TO EXAMINE CURRENT TRENDS AND TO STIMULATE CREATIVE THINKING ON THE PROBLEM. THE WORKSHOP WAS CONDUCTED BY THE TRAINING CENTER OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON CRIME AND DELINQUENCY. THE APPROXIMATELY 50 PARTICIPANTS INCLUDED YOUTH SERVICE PROVIDERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM, AND THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM. PARTICIPANTS WERE DIVIDED INTO SEVEN TEAMS. THE PROGRAM INCLUDED AN ORIENTATION, A WRITTEN EXERCISE TO IDENTIFY PARTICIPANTS' KNOWLEDGE AND EXPECTATIONS, VIEWING AND DISCUSSION OF A FILM ENTITLED 'THE INNOCENT VICTIM,' AND A PRESENTATION ABOUT THE NATIONAL JUVENILE JUSTICE COLLABORATION. IN ADDITION, EACH TEAM WAS ASKED TO DEVELOP A POTENTIAL ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS, USING THE FORCE FIELD ANALYSIS PROCESS. GROUPS NEXT PRESENTED AND DISCUSSED THEIR PROPOSED PROGRAMS. ADDITIONAL SESSIONS FOCUSED ON DEVELOPING MISSION STATEMENTS AND WRITING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES AND ANALYSIS OF JUVENILE CRIME IN WEST VIRGINIA FROM 1973 THROUGH 1977. CLOSING REMARKS IDENTIFIED ISSUES AND SUCH CONCEPTS AS CARING COMMUNITY, ADVOCACY, VOLUNTEERS, AND COALITIONS. MOST OF THE 36 PARTICIPANTS WHO COMPLETED EVALUATION FORMS RATED THE WORKSHOP AS AVERAGE TO VERY GOOD, WITH A MEAN OF AVERAGE. MOST PARTICIPANTS FELT THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED AND THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS WERE USEFUL. APPENDIXES PRESENT WORKSHOP AGENDA, WRITTEN EXERCISE RESULTS, ACTION PLANS AND ANALYSES DEVELOPED BY THE TEAMS, AND PARTICIPANTS' EVALUATIONS. (CFW)