NCJ Number
49957
Journal
INTELLECT Volume: 106 Issue: 2387 Dated: (AUGUST 1977) Pages: 58-61
Date Published
1977
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE YOUTHFUL OFFENDER PROJECT OF THE BROCKLAND, MASS., DISTRICT COURT SEEKS TO BROADEN THE RANGE OF ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS AVAILABLE TO A JUDGE AT THE TIME OF DISPOSITION BY CONSULTATION WITH AND EVALUATION OF OFFENDERS.
Abstract
SINCE 1971, A TEAM OF PSYCHOLOGISTS AND PROBATION EXPERTS HAS PARTICIPATED IN A PROGRAM OF EARLY INTERVENTION IN THE CRIMINAL COURT CASES OF YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS, BETWEEN THE AGES OF 17 AND 25. IT HAD BEEN NOTED THAT ONE-HALF OF THE CRIMINAL CASES BROUGHT BEFORE THE COURT WERE CONTRIBUTED BY OFFENDERS IN THIS AGE GROUP. THE INVESTIGATORS FOUND THAT EVEN MINOR OFFENSES WERE SURFACE MANIFESTATIONS OF MORE BASIC SOCIALIZATION DIFFICULTIES AMONG THE OFFENDERS. PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING IS USED DURING THE PERIOD BEFORE DISPOSITION TO DEVELOP A PLAN OF APPROACH THAT WILL LESSEN THE LIKELIHOOD OF REPEAT OFFENSES. PERSONAL DATA ARE USED BY PROJECT WORKERS TO INSURE THAT VOCATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL NEEDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE OFFENDER BY THE APPROPRIATE AGENCIES. THE FEASIBILITY OF A GROUP APPROACH TO TRAINING JOB APPLICANTS IS BEING EXAMINED IN THE PROJECT. SEVERAL OF THE PROJECT FEATURES HAVE BEEN ADOPTED BY THE REGULAR PROBATION PROGRAM, INCLUDING THE TRAINING OF VOLUNTEER PROBATION OFFICERS BY PROFESSIONAL HUMAN RELATIONS PSYCHOLOGISTS. THE CURRENT MODEL OF THE PROJECT INCLUDES AN EMPHASIS ON AIDING DRUG ABUSERS AND THE COORDINATION OF RESOURCE USE WITH OTHER COURT SYSTEMS.