NCJ Number
6168
Journal
Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1971) Pages: 38-52
Date Published
1971
Length
15 pages
Annotation
THE FEASIBILITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF APPLYING A SYSTEM OF DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT BASED ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF DELINQUENTS IN AN INSTITUTIONAL SETTING IS TESTED.
Abstract
DELINQUENTS IN THIS EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM WERE SUBDIVIDED ACCORDING TO THEIR INTERPERSONAL MATURITY LEVEL AND ASSIGNED TO ONE OF SIX LIVING HALLS. IMMEDIATE EFFECTS ON THE INSTITUTION'S OPERATION WERE NOTED. THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN THE MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS IN THE EXPERIMENTAL UNITS. BEHAVIOR AND ATTITUDES OF THE STAFF EXHIBITED A POSITIVE CHANGE. EVALUATION OF PRE- AND POSTPSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIORAL MEASURES ALSO SHOWED THAT SIGNIFICANTLY GREATER GAINS WERE MADE BY THE EXPERIMENTAL SUBJECTS. PAROLE DATA, HOWEVER, REVEALED NO SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES IN THE VIOLATION RATES OF EXPERIMENTAL AND CONTROL SUBJECTS. THE FACT THAT AFTER TWO YEARS OF POSSIBLE EXPOSURE TO PAROLE MORE THAN THREE OUT OF FIVE (62 PERCENT) OF THE 1,607 WARDS HAD VIOLATED PAROLE AND BEEN RETURNED TO AN INSTITUTION SUGGESTS THAT WHATEVER REHABILITATION IS ACCOMPLISHED IN AN INSTITUTION MUST BE COMPLEMENTED BY SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY SERVICES. REFERENCES MAY BE FOUND IN THE FOOTNOTES. AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED