MASSACHUSETTS - OFFICIALS SAY JUVENILE SYSTEM WORKS

• NCJ Number: 26489
• Journal: Corrections Magazine Volume: 1 Issue: 5 Dated: (MAY/JUNE 1975) Pages: 33-36
• Author(s): MS SERRILL
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: Correctional Information Service, Inc
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

SINCE IT CLOSED DOWN ITS MAJOR JUVENILE INSTITUTIONS IN 1972, MASSACHUSETTS HAS CONTRACTED FOR SERVICES WITH OVER 200 PRIVATE AGENCIES WHICH OPERATE EVERYTHING FROM DETENTION PROGRAMS TO INTENSIVE CARE FACILITIES.

Abstract

ALTHOUGH RECIDIVISM RATES ARE NOT ALL IN, OFFICIALS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS PROGRAM ARE ENTHUSIATIC ABOUT ITS RESULTS. MUCH OF THE ENTHUSIASM HAS TO DO WITH THE QUALITY OF PEOPLE THAT ARE ATTRACTED BY THE CONTRACTING AGENCIES - PEOPLE WHO MIGHT NOT BE ENTHUSIATIC ABOUT ACCEPTING CIVIL SERVICE POSITIONS. ANOTHER GOOD POINT OF THE SYSTEM IS THE DIVERSITY OF PROGRAMS THAT ARE OFFERED. IF A PROGRAM DOES NOT MEET STATE-IMPOSED STANDARDS THEN THE CONTRACT MAY BE CANCELLED.