NCJ Number
6191
Journal
Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1969) Pages: 87-98
Date Published
1969
Length
12 pages
Annotation
AN ANALYSIS OF THE DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED WITH A DEMONSTRATION PROJECT DESIGNED TO REDUCE THE TRAUMA OF RE-ENTRY INTO SOCIETY.
Abstract
THE TARGET POPULATION WAS THE YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS IN A STATE REFORMATORY. THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM WAS TO INCREASE THEIR POST-RELEASE OPPORTUNITIES AND TO PROVIDE THEM WITH A GRADUAL AND SUPERVISED RE-ENTRY INTO THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY. PROBLEMS EVOLVED AROUND AN INEXPERIENCED AND INADEQUATELY TRAINED STAFF WHICH WAS UNAWARE OF THE THEORETICAL BASE OF THE PROJECT AND WHICH WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM AND ACCOMPLISH THE PROFESSIONAL RULES AND REHABILITATIVE TASKS SPECIFIED IN THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL. THE LACK OF CONSENSUS AMONG THE STAFF CREATED CONSIDERABLE ANXIETY AMONG THE RESIDENTS, WHICH RESULTED IN A DESIRE FOR RULES. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF RULES LED TO A FORMALIZATION OF RESIDENT-STAFF INTERACTION SO THAT BOTH GROUPS CAME TO VIEW THEIR RELATIONSHIPS AS WE-THEY. THIS SERIOUSLY INTERFERED WITH THE REHABILITATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE STAFF. THE CLEAR SPLIT IN STAFF-RESIDENT RELATIONS WAS SIMILAR TO THAT IN THE REFORMATORY SETTING. THIS PROVIDED FERTILE GROUND FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND PERPETUATION OF A RESIDENT SUBCULTURE, WITH GOALS THAT CONTRADICTED THE OFFICIAL GOALS OF THE PROGRAM. INADEQUATE PREPARATION OF INMATES FOR LIFE IN THE CENTER LED TO FURTHER PROBLEMS IN TRAINING, COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS, AND PERSONAL ADJUSTMENT. THESE PROBLEMS, ALONG WITH A HOSTILE COMMUNITY SETTING, REDUCED THE FUNCTION OF THE CENTER TO MERE CUSTODY AND SURVIVAL, WITH THE ORIGINAL IDEAS OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT LARGELY FORGOTTEN. AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED