NCJ Number
49271
Date Published
1977
Length
86 pages
Annotation
A NETWORK OF SERVICES FOR FEMALE OFFENDERS SPONSORED BY THE YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION (YWCA) IN SIX NEW ENGLAND STATES IS REPORTED.
Abstract
BACKGROUND OF THE ORIGIN AND INITIAL PLANNING STAGES OF THE PROGRAM IS PRESENTED. IN ITS FIRST FUNDING PERIOD, THE PROGRAM WAS ORGANIZED TO PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING: COMMUNITY-BASED ALTERNATIVES TO PRETRIAL AND POSTTRIAL DETENTION AND CONFINEMENT, SUPPORT SERVICES FOR YOUNG WOMEN AWAITING TRIAL, COUNSELING AND OTHER SERVICES FOR PROBATIONERS, DIVERSIONARY MECHANISMS AND SERVICES, AND SERVICES FOR OFFENDERS IN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AND THOSE HAVING AFTERCARE STATUS. INNOVATIVE FEATURES AND PROGRAM SERVICE COMPONENTS ARE DESCRIBED FOR THE FIRST PERIOD. THE 10 FIRST-PERIOD CENTERS WERE LOCATED IN CONNECTICUT, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, NEW HAMPSHIRE, RHODE ISLAND, AND VERMONT. OBJECTIVES FOR THE SECOND PERIOD, JUNE 30, 1975 TO APRIL 30, 1977, WERE TO CONTINUE THE PREVIOUS GOALS AND TO EXPAND THE NETWORK. PROGRAM COMPONENTS WERE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SERVICES WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO HOME AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS, SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENTS, INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, CAREER CHOICES AND WORK-RELATED EXPERIENCES, COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION, PREPARATION FOR DEALING WITH UNPROTECTED SITUATIONS, AND SUBSEQUENT REDUCTION/ELIMINATION OF DELINQUENT LIFESTYLES. THE PROGRAM WAS DIRECTED TOWARD THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE YWCA CENTERS AS MODELS OF COMMUNITY-BASED ALTERNATIVES, AND TOWARD THE IDENTIFICATION OF POLICIES, PROCESSES, AND PROCEDURES FOR INCREASING THE CAPACITY OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR FEMALE OFFENDERS. A FINAL OBJECTIVE WAS TO ASSESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE NETWORK WITH THE INTENT OF INCREASING THE CAPACITY OF THE PROGRAM AND TO SHARE FINDINGS WITH OTHER YMCA'S NATIONWIDE. PROFILES OF THE 11 YWCA CENTERS, THEIR SPIN-OFF STATUS, FACILITIES, RESOURCES, AND PARTICIPANTS ARE PRESENTED. THE PROGRAM SERVICE COMPONENTS FOR THE SECOND FUNDING PERIOD ARE DESCRIBED, AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE EVALUATED. EXHIBITS INCLUDE LISTINGS OF COOPERATING AND REFERRAL AGENCIES, A DESCRIPTION OF STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING EVENTS, AND NEWSPAPER ARTICLES REFERRING TO THE PROGRAM. (DAG)