NCJ Number
131957
Journal
Journal for Juvenile Justice and Detention Services Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: (Fall 1990) Pages: 13-20
Date Published
1990
Length
8 pages
Annotation
An analysis of disciplinary reports from a juvenile detention facility in Oklahoma County found that the existing method of handling behavior problems is effective and that a small number of chronically misbehaving youths account for from one fourth to one half of all incidents.
Abstract
Data were collected from daily incident reports, room confinement records, and other records from June through December 1988. The analysis considered race, gender, age, type of infraction, chargeable offenses, the time and location of the incident, disciplinary hearing, injury, disciplinary action taken, length of assigned confinement to the room, actual time in confinement, and related information. The facility used solitary room confinement for periods up to 1 hour only after all other techniques had failed and when a danger of physical harm or escape existed. Results showed that 103 youths committed 236 infractions serious enough for room confinement, but 6 of these youths committed 64 of the infractions. The behavioral scores of youths before and after room confinement showed this technique to be effective. Findings also indicated the need to continue individualized programming to address the problems of chronic disrupters and to make the rehabilitation of young, black males a high priority. 18 references