NCJ Number
17853
Date Published
1974
Length
0 pages
Annotation
PRESENTS VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAMS FOR DELINQUENTS, INCLUDING PARENT TRAINING, WEEK-END HOME VISITS, RIDE-ALONG PROGRAM, GROUP HOMES, AND PROBATION COUNSELING, AND URGES CITIZEN PARTICIPATION.
Abstract
CITIZEN APATHY THAT THRUSTS TOTAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEALING WITH CRIME ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFESSIONALS CONTRIBUTES TO THE EVOLUTION OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE REHABILITATION PROCESS FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS IS PORTRAYED IN THIS FILM. AN EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD GIRL RECENTLY CONVICTED OF SECOND DEGREE MURDER APPEARS BEFORE THE JUDGE FOR SENTENCING. THE GIRL'S CRIMINAL HISTORY IS REVIEWED BY THE JUDGE IN DIALOGUE WITH HER. AT VARIOUS POINTS IN THE DISCUSSION, THE FILM FLASHES TO DRAMATIZED EXAMPLES OF COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAMS WHICH, IF THEY HAD BEEN A PART OF THE GIRL'S EXPERIENCE, MIGHT HAVE THWARTED HER DEVIANT DEVELOPMENT. PARENT TRAINING PROGRAMS, POLICE RIDE ALONG PROGRAMS, WEEK-END PLACEMENT OF PROBLEM YOUTH IN STABLE FAMILIES, ESTABLISHMENT OF JUVENILE GROUP HOMES AS ALTERNATIVES TO INSTITUTIONALIZATION, AND VOLUNTEER ASSISTANCE IN PROBATION SUPERVISION ARE OFFERRED AS EXAMPLES OF CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN REHABILITATION. THE FILM WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR PRESENTATION TO GROUPS WITH POTENTIAL VOLUNTEERS FOR COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAMS.