DISPOSITIONAL ALTERNATIVES (FROM JUVENILE JUSTICE - THE HUMAN DIMENSION - HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROCEEDINGS, 1978, BY LADY BROWN AND JUNE BERRY - SEE NCJ-50131)

• NCJ Number: 50145
• Author(s): E H PENA
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 9 pages
• Corporate Author: Junior League of Lubbock, Inc; Texas Cmtte for the Humanities and Public Policy; National Endowment for the Humanities
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

DISPOSITIONAL ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS IN EL PASO, TEX., FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS ARE EXAMINED EMPHASIZING PROGRAMS FOR STATUS OFFENDERS AND FIRST OFFENDERS.

Abstract

DISPOSITIONAL ALTERNATIVES USED IN EL PASO INCLUDE HOME DETENTION, WEEKEND DETENTION, AND SPECIAL STATUS OFFENDER AND FIRST OFFENDER PROGRAMS. THE PROBATION PROGRAM HAS BEEN DISAPPOINTING, AND A 2-YEAR EXPERIMENT SHOWED THAT SUPERVISED PROBATIONERS HAD A HIGHER RECIDIVISM RATE THAN UNSUPERVISED PROBATIONERS. THE CONCEPT OF PROBATION MUST, THEREFORE, BE QUESTIONED AND ALTERNATIVES TRIED. WEEKEND DETENTION REQUIRES SPENDING 8-10 WEEKENDS IN A DETENTION HOME, AND HOME DETENTION INVOLVES RESTRICTING THE CHILD TO HIS OWN HOME WITH DAILY CHECKUPS BY AN OFFICER. THE PROGRAM FOR STATUS OFFENDERS WAS DESIGNED TO WORK WITH BOTH THE JUVENILES AND THEIR FAMILIES. IT OFFERS A 24-HOUR CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICE, CASEWORKERS, TEMPORARY SHELTERS, AND LONG-TERM PLACEMENT HOMES. ENROLLMENT IN THE FIRST-OFFENDER PROGRAM IS VOLUNTARY, BUT BOTH THE CHILD AND THE PARENTS MUST AGREE TO PARTICIPATE. PARENT-EFFECTIVENESS TRAINING SESSIONS ARE OFFERED WHICH THE CHILD AND PARENTS ATTEND TOGETHER. DISPOSITIONAL ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS IN COMMUNITIES SHOULD BE EVALUATED TO DETERMINE THEIR COST-EFFECTIVENESS AND IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF CHILDREN INVOLVED. EVALUATION IS A COMMUNITY, NOT A COURT, RESPONSIBILITY.