Practical Issues in Vocational Education for Serious Juvenile Offenders (From Violent Juvenile Offenders - An Anthology, P 337-346, 1984, Robert A Mathias et al, ed. - See NCJ-95108)

• NCJ Number: 95179
• Author(s): T S James; J M Granville
• Date Published: 1984
• Length: 10 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Available on microfiche as NCJ-95108.

Annotation

New Pride, Inc. -- a Denver-based, nonresidential program for youths adjudicated delinquents -- has been providing prevocational and vocational services to multiple juvenile offenders for the past 10 years.

Abstract

The program has served over 1,200 serious and violent offenders, 90 percent of whom have remained in the community. The program has shown that its clients can master a variety of skills leading to meaningful employment or continued vocational training. The program aims to develop each youth's potential. By developing and running its own businesses, New Pride has been a constant source of training and has controlled the learning environment so that specific needs of the youths are addressed. Program cost is $4,500 per year for each client, compared with $28,000 to incarcerate a youth for a year in Colorado. Its cost-effectiveness alone justifies its operation. It is also effective in changing negative social behavior and maintaining existing family units with little risk to the community. Its concepts and program elements can be replicated in other communities. Two footnotes are supplied.