NCJ Number
53701
Date Published
1978
Length
27 pages
Annotation
A PROJECT FOR TRAINING YOUNG, MAXIMUM SECURITY INMATES IN SOCIAL SERVICES CAREERS IS DESCRIBED. THE 23 STUDENTS WHO ENTERED THE PROGRAM BETWEEN 1974-1976 LIVED, WORKED, AND STUDIED IN A COMMUNITY HOSTEL IN BRISTOL, ENGLAND.
Abstract
THE 'NEW CAREERS' CONCEPT ADAPTED TO THE HOSTEL WAS ORIGINALLY DEVELOPED IN THE U.S. TO HELP BRIGHT, ARTICULATE YOUTH FROM POOR BACKGROUNDS BEGIN SOCIAL SERVICE CAREERS. THE CONCEPT WAS INTEGRATED INTO A COMMUNITY TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR YOUTHS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 17 AND 20, WHO HAD BEEN SENTENCED TO THE BORSTAL INSTITUTION. SELECTION OF CLIENTS WAS DIFFICULT, SINCE THE PROGRAM REQUIRED THAT PARTICIPANTS BE MOTIVATED, ARTICULATE, AND BRIGHT. MANY OF THE STUDENTS WERE UNABLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE HOSTEL'S RIGOROUS ROUTINE AND DROPPED OUT OF THE PROGRAM AND ONLY 6 PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS SUCCEEDED IN OBTAINING SOCIAL WORK JOBS AFTER RELEASE FROM THE HOSTEL. THE INITIAL TRAINING PERIOD CONSISTED OF 12-HOUR WEEKDAYS DURING WHICH STUDENTS ATTENDED EDUCATIONAL COURSES AND GROUP EXERCISES TO DEVELOP THEIR SOCIAL SERVICE SKILLS. IN THE SECOND PROGRAM PHASE, STUDENTS CONTINUED WITH THEIR TRAINING, BUT ALSO WERE PLACED ON OUTSIDE SERVICE JOBS. IN THE FINAL PHASE, STUDENTS WERE EXPECTED TO SEEK FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT IN SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES WITH THE ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT OF THE PROJECT STAFF. SEVERAL REASONS WERE CONSIDERED FOR THE FAILURE OF THE PROJECT TO INTERVENE POSITIVELY IN THE LIVES OF ITS CLIENTS. IT WAS DIFFICULT T0 MAINTAIN MORALE AND ORDER IN AN INFORMAL AND UNORGANIZED ATMOSPHERE; STAFF NEEDED MORE SUPPORT FROM THE CORRECTIONAL DEPARTMENT; THE STUDENTS CONSIDERED THE PROGRAM TO BE ANOTHER TASK TO PERFORM UNTIL THEY HAD SERVED THEIR TIME, AND THAT TOO MUCH WAS EXPECTED OF THEM. (DAG)