NCJ Number
74752
Date Published
1977
Length
15 pages
Annotation
The objectives and components of an ideal education system for incarcerated juveniles are described.
Abstract
The juveniles institutionalized in the 1980's will be hardcore offenders who have failed in community programs. The education system for them must be designed to meet their particular needs. The overall goal of the institution should be to prepare the juvenile for a positive lifestyle in the community. This means the institution will ideally help the juvenile to develop positive behavior toward self, family, peers, and society. Further, he/she will acquire the academic and vocational skills necessary for survival. These objectives will be achieved through the components of staff, functions, hardware, software, facilities, finances, and climate. The ideal facility will be relatively small, with a capacity of 100 to 125 residents, located in the home community of the residents. The ideal program will have three distinct yet interconnected phases: (1) an orientation/diagnostic phase; (2) an intermediate phase which includes the development of academic and skill areas, social interaction, and leisure time/health activities; and (3) a final phase which emphasizes release readiness and integration with family and appropriate community services. Each facility should be fully equipped with modern hardware and software that facilitates effective learning, and the staff should provide a supportive atmosphere which includes fair and consistent discipline. The annual budget for each facility providing an ideal program will be at least $300,000, not including the initial expenditure for educational equipment and supplies. The overall climate of the institution should be characterized by activity, excitement, and caring. Footnotes are provided. For other related articles, see NCJ 74750.