NCJ Number
144422
Date Published
1993
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The District of Columbia instituted a High Intensity Treatment Supervision (HITS) program for juveniles who have been committed to the Department of Human Services on a delinquency charge, had at least one prior period of probation or been adjudicated for a felony, are not being considered for any sentencing option other than incarceration, and are not being revoked for technical violations of probation.
Abstract
All juveniles referred to HITS have a 30-day predispositional period before being formally accepted into the program. The intake process provides HITS staff with an opportunity to assess the needs of the youth in terms of his delinquency and to evaluate the youth and his family's attitudes toward treatment. During the predispositional phase, the juveniles have a screening interview and home visit, participate in family counseling, receive a psychological exam and educational assessment, and attend drug counseling. Before disposition, the youth, his family, and HITS staff create an administrative contract outlining the conditions to which the juvenile agrees in order to continue in the program. Factors considered in working toward a mediation contract include the nature of the offense, damage to the community, victim's loss, and offender's characteristics. During the program, the juveniles adhere to a strict nightly curfew as well as restrictions on their clothing and personal items. All youths enrolled in HITS attend drug treatment workshops, complete up to 200 hours of community service, attend self-esteem programs, and undergo vocational assessment and job placement counseling. They must go to school and are encouraged to work part-time. Youths who successfully complete the program undergo a posttermination interview and are monitored weekly for four weeks; those who fail to complete the program are referred back to juvenile court with a recommendation for two years incarceration.