NCJ Number
87124
Journal
Bewaehrungshilfe Volume: 29 Issue: 2 Dated: (1982) Pages: 126-140
Date Published
1982
Length
15 pages
Annotation
The association 'Bridge' in Cologne, West Germany, founded in 1979, supports expansion and maximum utilization of community-based, education-oriented correctional alternatives for juveniles.
Abstract
The principal activities of the Cologne association are administering juvenile community service orders in cooperation with juvenile justice authorities, supervising juveniles-at-risk through a sociopedagogical orientation in individual and group counseling. and promoting pretrial diversion of certain juvenile cases. The project's social worker staff monitor and counsel juveniles assigned to community service at one of 34 agencies serving the elderly, the handicapped children, and various community interests. Juveniles may receive community service orders either by judicial or prosecutorial decision. In both cases, the intent is to curtail juvenile processing and passive sentences by providing correctional alternatives that actively involve juvenile delinquents in helping others and experiencing personal growth. In 1980 the Bridge arranged 1,541 service orders; clients averaged 17.1 years of age; average length of service was 29 hours. The Bridge also counsels juveniles under judicial orders to undergo guidance and life-skills education. Staff provide this service to clients through case management and teamwork techniques on an individualized and group basis. Tabular data, footnotes, and 11 references are given.