INTERMEDIATE TREATMENT (FROM ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FOR COPING WITH CRIME, 1978, BY NORMAN TUTT - NCJ-53694)

• NCJ Number: 53697
• Author(s): D THORPE
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 18 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

THE 1969 ENGLISH CHILDRENS AND YOUNG PERSONS ACT PROVIDED AN ALTERNATIVE INTERMEDIATE TREATMENT FOR CONVICTED JUVENILE DELINQUENTS. VARIOUS INTENSITIES OF INTERMEDIATE COMMUNITY TREATMENT ARE EXAMINED.

Abstract

INTERMEDIATE TREATMENT IS A SENTENCING POSSIBILITY FOR JUVENILE COURTS WHICH WOULD REMOVE A CHILD TEMPORARILY FROM THE HOME FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OR A SUCCESSION OF BRIEF PERIODS FOR COMMUNITY-BASED TREATMENT. SINCE THE LAW DOES NOT SPECIFY THE TYPE OF TREATMENT REQUIRED, SOCIAL WORK AGENCIES HAVE REACTED WITH A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS AND PROCESSES. SEVERAL STUDIES INDICATE THAT JUVENILE INCARCERATION GENERATES FURTHER DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR AND THAT COMMUNITY TREATMENT ALLOWS CHILDREN TO 'OUTGROW' DEVIANT BEHAVIOR IN A MORE HUMANE ENVIRONMENT. THE FOLLOWING DAY CARE TREATMENT PROGRAMS IN THE U.S. ARE STRUCTURED AROUND GROUP THERAPY, WORK ACTIVITIES, AND IMPROVING THE CHILD'S SELF-IMAGE: ESSEXFIELDS CENTER IN ESSEX COUNTY, N.J., THE PINEHILLS CENTER IN PROVO, UTAH, AND THE PROVIDENCE EDUCATIONAL CENTER IN ST. LOUIS, MO. IN ENGLAND AND WALES, TWO TYPES OF DAY CARE PROGRAMS EXIST, ONE WHICH USES THE DAY CARE SYSTEM TO HELP THOSE UNABLE TO MANAGE EITHER EMPLOYMENT OR SCHOOL AND ONE WHICH CONCENTRATES ON PROVIDING EVENING AND WEEKEND CARE FOR DELINQUENTS ABLE TO ATTEND SCHOOL OR WORK. EXAMPLES ARE THE ISLINGTON FAMILY SERVICE UNIT INTERMEDIATE TREATMENT CENTRE THAT STRUCTURES ACTIVITIES AROUND CREATIVE SKILLS AND OTHER NONACADEMIC ACTIVITIES, THE SANDIACRE INTERMEDIATE TREATMENT SCHEME FOR EVENING CARE THAT RELIES HEAVILY ON ITS ASSOCIATION WITH YOUTH CLUBS, ST. HELEN'S INTERMEDIATE TREATMENT PROJECT THAT OFFERS WEEKLY MEETINGS WITH FORMAL DISCUSSIONS, GAMES, AND ACTIVITIES TO OFFENDERS WHOSE BEHAVIOR AND HOME BACKGROUNDS ARE NOT CONSIDERED SUFFICIENTLY DAMAGING TO REMOVE THE CHILD FROM THE HOME. DELINQUENT YOUTHS FROM FAMILIES PROVIDING ADEQUATE SUPERVISION CAN BE REFERRED TO YOUTH FACILITIES THAT OFFER LEISURE ACTIVITIES. THE YOUTHS CAN CONTINUE IN THE CLUBS AFTER THEIR SUPERVISION TERMINATES.