NCJ Number
15760
Date Published
1973
Length
79 pages
Annotation
ANALYSIS OF RESPONSES TO 59 QUESTIONS ON THE INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE, EFFICIENCY, AND EFFECTIVENESS SUBMITTED IN INTERVIEWS WITH ADMINISTRATIVE AND TREATMENT STAFF OF A HALFWAY HOUSE FOR JUVENILE DELINQUENT MALES.
Abstract
THE ANALYSIS CONCLUDED THAT DIFFERENCES IN TREATMENT PHILOSOPHY BETWEEN TREATMENT STAFF AND NON-TREATMENT STAFF HAS BEEN A SOURCE OF CONFLICT AND TURNOVER OF STAFF. DIFFERENCES OF APPROACH AMONG TREATMENT STAFF HAS CREATED A LACK OF CLARITY IN THE PROGRAM'S DIRECTION. THIS HAS FOCUSED PRIMARILY ON THE ADEQUACY AND APPROPRIATENESS OF A POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT SCHEDULE IN CONTROLLING THE JUVENILES' BEHAVIOR. ALSO, ADMINISTRATIVE DECISIONS MADE ON GROUNDS OF EXPEDIENCY HAVE HARMED THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TREATMENT. AMONG THESE WERE HAPHAZARD RECRUITMENT OF PERSONNEL AND THE ADMISSION OF BOTH POST-INSTITUTIONAL AND PRE-INSTITUTIONAL BOYS IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE PROGRAM WITHOUT OUTSIDE SUPPORT. ANOTHER PROBLEM WAS THE LOCATION OF TWO PROGRAMS IN THE SAME FACILITY. DESPITE WEAKNESSES IN THE PROGRAM, ABOUT HALF THE BOYS IN THE PROGRAM BENEFITTED FROM IT. INCLUDED IN THE REPORT ARE MORE DETAILED ESTIMATES BY THE STAFF OF THE PROGRAM'S EFFECTIVENESS. A REPORT OF FOLLOW-UP INTERVIEWS WITH RELEASEES IS PLANNED.