NCJ Number
79866
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 43 Issue: 5 Dated: (September/October 1981) Pages: 52,54,56-57
Date Published
1981
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The detrimental consequences of the 1971 reorganization of training schools in New York State are reviewed, and subsequent reforms are summarized.
Abstract
The reorganization led to the removal of status offenders from training schools and drastic reforms, including enforcement of the ban on corporal punishment, limitations on medication for the purpose of control, stricter guidelines for secure confinement, and the elimination of various demeaning practices. The effect of these changes was to reduce sharply the number of youths in training schools and to change their populations to the most aggressive and disturbed youths. However, the reforms ignored these youths' needs for structure and control and their inability to function in a more open type of program. As a result, the remaining training school programs became characterized by rioting, disorder, increased runaways, overcrowding, physical deterioration, negative staff morale, and a crisis atmosphere. An evaluation of one such training school revealed many problems, including continual acting out and group fights, an atmosphere of an armed camp under siege, minimal efforts at programming, and staff absenteeism. A subsequent reorganization of the division for youth was designed to restore stability to the entire system. While the reforms had succeeded in providing appropriate placement for most children, a clear need existed for older, solid programming, and positive expectations for the youths requiring a secure setting. The more recent reorganization has established placements based on diagnostic evaluations by a placement team. As a result, the community-based open facilities are operating freely without the disruption caused by misplacements. Control and stability have been achieved, thereby making treatment possible.