NCJ Number
68790
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 23 Issue: 3 Dated: (1979) Pages: 244-248
Date Published
1979
Length
5 pages
Annotation
BRITAIN'S INTERMEDIATE TREATMENT CONSISTS OF A WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES WHICH CAN BE REQUIRED BY JUVENILE COURTS TO BE INCLUDED AS A CONDITION OF A SUPERVISION ORDER.
Abstract
THE NOTION OF INTERMEDIATE TREATMENT AS A MEANS OF DEALING WITH JUVENILE OFFENDERS RECEIVED FORMALIZED CREATION IN THE WHITE PAPER, 'CHILDREN IN TROUBLE' IN 1968, AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY EMBODIED IN THE 1969 CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS ACT. THIS FORM OF TREATMENT LIES BETWEEN OTHER MEASURES WHICH PLACE CHILDREN IN THE CARE OF THE LOCAL AUTHORITY OR LEAVE THEM IN THE CARE OF THEIR PARENTS. THE AIM IS TO PLACE JUVENILES IN SITUATIONS WHERE THEY ACQUIRE NEW SKILLS, GAIN NEW CONFIDENCE, DEVELOP NEW PATTERNS OF RELATIONSHIPS, AND HAVE THE CONFIDENCE TO CONTINUE IN CONSTRUCTIVE ACTIVITIES AFTER FORMAL TERMINATION OF STATUTORY CONDITIONS. THE SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT OF A LOCAL AUTHORITY OR THE PROBATION AND AFTERCARE SERVICE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SELECTING THE APPROPRIATE TYPE OF INTERMEDIATE TREATMENT, PROVIDING THE MATERIAL RESOURCES TO ENABLE ACTIVITIES TO TAKE PLACE. THE ACTUAL TYPE AND LOCATION OF THE ACTIVITY MUST BE APPROVED BY THE CHILDREN'S REGIONAL PLANNING COMMITTEE. ESSENTIALLY, THE SERVICES ARE TO BE A COMMUNITY-BASED ACTIVITY INVOLVING YOUNGSTERS IN ACTIVITIES THAT DEVELOP SKILLS, CONFIDENCE, AND GREATER SECURITY, AND PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN SOCIETY. THE ADMINISTRATION OF THIS PROGRAM IN ENGLAND HAS MET WITH CONFUSION AND DELAY. MORE EFFECTIVE LIAISON BETWEEN AGENCIES IS NEEDED, CHILDRENS' SERVICES MUST BE MORE INDIVIDUALIZED, AND MORE ALLOWANCE FOR RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT SHOULD BE MADE. NEVERTHELESS, MANY PROBATION AREAS HAVE SUCCESSFULLY INVOLVED PARENTS IN ACTIVITIES WITH THEIR CHILDREN, RESULTING IN A GOOD DEAL OF PARENTAL ENTHUSIASM IN FOSTERING NEW AREAS OF CREATIVE FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS. SEVEN REFERENCES ARE FURNISHED.