NCJ Number
50877
Journal
Juvenile and Family Court Journal Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Dated: (MAY 1978) Pages: 3-5
Date Published
1978
Length
3 pages
Annotation
THE NAVIGATOR HOUSE, A MUSKINGUM COUNTY (OHIO) GROUP HOME FOR MALE JUVENILE DELINQUENTS, IS DESCRIBED. THE HOME, BEGUN IN 1973, IS EVALUATED FOR ITS EFFECTIVENESS IN REHABILITATION.
Abstract
THE NAVIGATOR HOUSE ADMITTED A TOTAL OF 63 BOYS FROM SEMI-RURAL MUSKINGUM COUNTY AT THE CLOSE OF 1977, AND, EVEN THOUGH IT IS NONSECURE, IT HAS HAD A LOW INCIDENCE OF RUNAWAY ATTEMPTS. THE YOUTHS ATTEND PUBLIC SCHOOL AND WORK DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS ON FARMS, IN PRIVATE BUSINESS, OR WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD YOUTH CORPS. SPORTS ACTIVITIES ARE EMPHASIZED AT THE HOME. A SURVEY OF JUVENILES WHO LIVED AT THE HOME BETWEEN 1973 AND 1977 WAS TAKEN TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF GROUP HOMES IN REHABILITATING YOUTH. DATA WERE COLLECTED ON HOME SITUATION, OFFENSE TYPE, PREVIOUS COURT APPEARANCES, AND SCHOOL STATUS OF THE BOYS BEFORE ENTERING THE HOME. INFORMATION ON THEIR EXPERIENCES AFTER LEAVING THE HOME WAS ALSO COLLECTED, AND THE NUMBER OF FORMER RESIDENTS INSTITUTIONALIZED IN ADULT AND JUVENILE FACILITIES, IN MILITARY SERVICE, EMPLOYED OR UNEMPLOYED, ATTENDING SCHOOL, OR RESIDING IN MENTAL INSTITUTIONS WAS TALLIED. IT WAS FOUND THAT 25 OF THE 63 BOYS REQUIRED INSTITUTIONALIZATION AFTER LEAVING NAVIGATOR HOUSE. IT IS STRESSED THAT THE LARGEST OFFENDER GROUP, THOSE WHO COMMITTED FELONIES OR MISDEMEANORS, HAD BEEN SUCCESSFULLY DIVERTED FROM THE OHIO YOUTH COMMISSION TRAINING SCHOOL, PROVIDING SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO JUSTIFY MAINTAINING OPERATION OF THE HOME. SURVEY DATA ARE PROVIDED.