NCJ Number
49484
Journal
Bewaehrungshilfe Volume: 25 Issue: 1 Dated: (1978) Pages: 76-78
Date Published
1978
Length
3 pages
Annotation
IN ORDER TO COUNTERACT THE DIMINISHING POSSIBILITIES FOR PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO JUVENILE PROBATIONERS, OFFICERS IN HAMBURG, WEST GERMANY, EXPERIMENT WITH THERAPEUTIC HOMES.
Abstract
AS THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE AFFAIRS IN HAMBURG BECAME MORE LIBERAL, PROBATION OFFICERS RECEIVED HEAVIER CASELOADS WHILE SUITABLE BECAME CRITICAL WHEN, AFTER LOWERING THE LEGAL AGE, THE JUVENILE GROUP HOMES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE AFFAIRS WERE NO LONGER AVAILABLE TO YOUNG ADULTS, CAUSING 17- AND 18-YEAR-OLDS TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH PEOPLE IN ADULT HOMES AND ASYLUMS WHO HAD ONLY MINIMAL TIES TO NORMAL SOCIETY. SEVERAL SUBURBAN GROUP HOMES WERE ESTABLISHED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE JUVENILE AID ASSOCIATION (JAA), BUT FAILED DUE TO DRINKING PROBLEMS, FIGHTING, AND THE DISORIENTATION OF THE JUVENILES WHO LIVED THERE. THE NEED FOR HOMES THAT WOULD PROVIDE INTENSIVE THERAPY INCREASED, SO THAT FINALLY A COMMITTEE OF PROBATION OFFICERS AND THE JAA, WITH THE SUPPORT OF JUDGES, LAWYERS, DOCTORS, AND SOCIAL WORKERS ESTABLISHED A HOME ON OCTOBER 1, 1976, WITH A CAPACITY FOR 24 SINGLE ROOMS; A BASEMENT FOR PARTIES, SPORTS, AND WORKSHOPS; AND COOKING AND DINING FACILITIES. THE ROOMS WERE ARRANGED TO PERMIT INTENSIVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A NUMBER OF ROOMS. THE HOME WAS BASED ON THE PRINCIPLE THAT CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR IS A SOCIAL PROBLEM WHICH HAS TO BE DEALT WITH THROUGH SOCIOTHERAPEUTIC AND SOCIOEDAGOGIC MEANS. THE RESIDENCE WAS TO SERVE AS A TRAINING GROUND FOR THE ACQUISITION OF GREATER INDEPENDENCE AND RESPONSIBILITY, AND AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE EARLIER LIFE IN A CRIMINAL ENVIRONMENT. SOCIOLOGISTS AND PSYCHOLOGISTS WERE AVAILABLE AS SUPERVISORS. DESPITE PROBLEMS DURING THE DEVELOPMENTAL PHASE OF THE PROJECT, SUCH AS JOB SHORTAGES AND TENSION AMONG CLIQUES, THE HOME APPEARS TO BE OPERATING SUCCESSFULLY. ABOUT HALF OF THE 24 RESIDENTS HAVE JOBS, THE ESSENTIALS OF WOOD- AND METALWORKING ARE BEING TAUGHT, SUMMER VACATIONS INCLUDE TRIPS IN THE HOME'S MINIBUS, AND THE YOUNG STAFF IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE HOME'S FURTHER DEVELOPMENT WITH INVOLVEMENT AND ENTHUSIASM. FOR AN ENGLISH SUMMARY TRANSLATION, SEE NCJ #53170. --IN GERMAN. (MHP) ENTHUSIASM. FOR AN ENGLISH SUMMARY TRANSLATION, SEE NCJ #53170. --IN GERMAN. (MHP)