NCJ Number
100220
Date Published
Unknown
Length
198 pages
Annotation
Based on work in testing, interviewing, and counseling with inmates, this book examines the conditions and effects of life in prison and describes a long-range crime prevention approach emphasizing community-based intervention.
Abstract
After presenting case examples characterizing juvenile and adult inmates as very similar to other populations, the author examines institutional conditions and the mental and physical stress to which inmates are subjected. He then examines environmental, personality, family, educational, interpersonal, and compensatory patterns of behavior that are often found among offenders and which may contribute to their involvement in crime. Results of 2 studies of 398 inmates and of 315 children are presented to support the hypothesis that certain character patterns, coupled with other life patterns, are associated with a tendency toward unacceptable social and/or criminal behaviors. On the basis of these results, a long-range multidisciplinary and community-based approach to prevention is proposed and implementation steps are outlined. Specific steps toward crime prevention that may be taken by law enforcement, court, correctional, and educational personnel are listed. The proposed program utilizes a multidisciplinary team to identify problems, set goals, and monitor the program. Emphasis is placed on providing training for professionals that will enable them to provide the environment and services necessary for modifying those behavior and life patterns associated with criminality, with a focus on intervention with children and families. Test instruments and their application in the program are discussed, and intervention techniques for the school and correctional counselor and correctional officer are presented. Index and 16 references.