NCJ Number
52273
Date Published
Unknown
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THIS PAPER REPORTS ON THE GOALS, PRINCIPLES, AND STRUCTURE OF 'DE SPRANG' HOUSE, AN EXPERIMENTAL HOUSE OF DETENTION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AGES 16 TO 23, LOCATED IN THE HAGUE, THE NETHERLANDS.
Abstract
THE PROGRAM BEGAN IN 1970 AND WAS DEVELOPED TO SERVE AS A MODEL FOR FUTURE PROGRAMS. THE PROGRAM AT DE SPRANG WAS DESIGNED FOR RESTRICTED COMMUNITY LIVING RATHER THAN CELLULAR LIVING, AND AIMED AT COUNTERING INSTITUTIONAL LONELINESS, ALIENATION, AND DEHUMANIZATION. THE INSTITUTION WAS ORGANIZED AROUND FIVE PRINCIPLES: (1) THE DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLE--THE INDIVIDUAL IS OFFERED OPPORTUNITIES TO CHOOSE INDEPENDENTLY AND TO CARRY RESPONSIBILITY FOR DECISIONS MADE IN THE GROUP; (2) THE NONDIRECTIVE PRINCIPLE--TO UNCOVER THE DEEPER REASONS FOR THE OFFENDER'S UNCONSCIOUS BEHAVIOR; (3) THE UNIFORMITY PRINCIPLE--PUTTING OFFENDERS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS INTO THE SAME GROUPS; (4) THE REALITY PRINCIPLE--BASED ON THE THEORY THAT PRISONERS SHOULD BE TAUGHT TO LIVE WITH RESTRICTIONS SUCH AS THOSE IN THE INSTITUTION; AND (5) THE PROSPECTIVE PRINCIPLE--A PLAN IS WORKED OUT FOR THE PRISONER'S FUTURE. YOUTHS AT DE SPRANG ARE REFERRED FROM DISTRICT COURT IN THE HAGUE. INMATES MAY CHOOSE TO ENTER ONE OF THREE TREATMENT MODALITIES: (1) SOCIAL WELFARE GUIDANCE, (2) COMMUNAL DEPARTMENT, OR (3) CELLULAR DEPARTMENT. EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING ARE AVAILABLE. THE STAFF CONSISTS OF WORKERS IN REGULAR CONTACT WITH THE INMATES AND SPECIALIST STAFF INCLUDING A PSYCHIATRIST, PSYCHOLOGIST, SOCIAL WORKER, AND CHAPLAINS. STAFF TEAMWORK IS STRESSED. A LARGE STAFF IS SEEN AS IMPERATIVE TO SUCCESSFULLY CONDUCT SUCH PROGRAMS. NO TABLES OR REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (MLC)