NCJ Number
44650
Journal
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology Volume: 10 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1977) Pages: 165-172
Date Published
1977
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THE USE OF A SAVINGS-BASED ECONOMY TO EFFECT BEHAVIORAL CHANGES IN ADOLESCENT MALES SERVING INDETERMINATE SENTENCES AT A NEW ZEALAND BORSTAL IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE HILLARY HOUSE VILLA IS A SELF-CONTAINED, MINIMUM-SECURITY FACILITY LOCATED NEAR A LARGE BORSTAL INSTITUTION. BORSTAL TRAINEES ARE ASSIGNED TO HILLARY HOUSE ON THE BASIS OF SELECTION CRITERIA COMMONLY APPLIED IN OPEN SETTINGS. THE AIM OF THE TOKEN ECONOMY PROJECT WAS TO DEAL WITH BEHAVIORS THAT TRAINEES WOULD TYPICALLY EXHIBIT OUTSIDE PRISON, TO EMPHASIZE NONAVERSIVE METHODS OF CONTROL, AND TO HELP TRAINEES LEARN TO PLAN FOR THEIR FUTURES. THE SAVINGS-BASED ECONOMY OFFERS TRAINEES AN OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN RELEASE BEFORE THE EXPIRATION OF THE MAXIMUM 2-YEAR SENTENCE BY SAVING CREDITS IN A BANK. CREDITS MAY BE EARNED IN THREE AREAS: SOCIAL BEHAVIOR; EDUCATION/WORK; AND INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT. TRAINEES PROGRESS THROUGH A SERIES OF FOUR LEVELS BASED ON THE NUMBER OF CREDITS ACCRUED. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SERIOUS ABUSES, INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR GENERALLY IS NOT PUNISHED. IN THE PROGRAM'S FIRST 12 MONTHS, 16 TRAINEES REACHED THE SAVINGS GOAL AND WERE RELEASED. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 4 MONTHS ON PAROLE, NONE OF THE TRAINEES HAD REAPPEARED BEFORE THE COURTS. IN THE GENERAL BORSTAL POPULATION, 36.2 PERCENT OF THE 2,898 TRAINEES RELEASED FROM 1957 THROUGH 1965 WERE RECONVICTED WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF THEIR RELEASE. SUPPORTING DATA, DETAILS OF PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION, AND A LIST OF REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED.