NCJ Number
209635
Journal
Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 56 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2005 Pages: 40-44
Date Published
March 2005
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This study assessed the impact on juvenile inmates of adult inmates' portrayals of the adverse consequences of their lives of crime.
Abstract
The study focused on 24 male juveniles incarcerated in a low-security facility. Their crimes consisted mostly of grand auto theft, drug offenses, and robbery. Their average stay ranged from 1 month to 1 year. Two adult male inmates and a guard from a minimum-security Federal prison came to the facility to talk with the boys. In speaking about life leading up to prison and prison life, each speaker focused on the themes of personal responsibility for one's actions and the power of each individual to make choices in life. The group was then divided into three smaller groups, and each adult conversed with one group for 15 minutes, followed by a rotation of the adults to another group until each adult had interacted with each group. At the conclusion of the program, the juveniles were administered a nine-question survey regarding their attitudes toward the presentation and its impact on their future. It was not possible to track the long-term effects of the program. Sixty-eight percent of the students indicated that presentations and discussions about the negative impact of drug and alcohol abuse had the greatest impact on their determination to change their behaviors; 55 percent of the juveniles believed the program would keep them from committing offenses that could lead to long-term incarceration. An overwhelming 96 percent stated they would recommend the program to other juveniles in their situation. 1 table and 4 references