NCJ Number
79699
Journal
Crime and Delinquency Volume: 27 Issue: 4 Dated: (October 1981) Pages: 468-476
Date Published
1981
Length
28 pages
Annotation
With its deinstitutionalization of juvenile offenders in the early 1970's, the Department of Youth Services in the state of Massachusetts developed the reputation of being extremely progressive. However, the label progressive does not characterize all forms of juvenile correction under the new system.
Abstract
In the midst of deinstitutionalization, a small maximum-security prison was developed for juvenile offenders who could not be treated in any of the community-based programs designed to replace the training schools. Despite all the therapeutic jargon and liberal claims relating to secure care, the Worcester Secure Treatment Program was and remains a prison. Attempts to impose concepts of treatment in this maximum-security, custodial setting have led to conflict and confusion in objectives, with unfortunate results. (Author abstract)