NCJ Number
152831
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 21 Issue: 1/2 Dated: (1994) Pages: 203-219
Date Published
1994
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study assessed the effectiveness of an intervention program for youthful offenders in Iowa that employed a cognitive approach to rehabilitation.
Abstract
Subjects included juveniles aged 16 and 17 years who had been transferred to adult court and juveniles aged 18 and 19 years who had been arrested for first-time serious felonies. Selection for admission to the Youthful Offender Pretrial Intervention (YOPI) Program was based on a pretrial screening process conducted by the Office of the Polk County Attorney. The YOPI Program was scheduled to last 6 months and involved a series of steps outlined in a contract between the Polk County Attorney's office and the offender. Attitudes toward police and courts improved during the intervention program, as did feelings that the offender's probation officer was supportive. Offender feelings of accomplishment and ability did not improve, and problem-solving ability and prospects for life success apparently decreased. Prospects for improving life goals and offender empathy toward victims, however, changed positively. Three patterns emerged as a result of the YOPI Program: changes in attitudes toward the criminal justice system, sense of personal accomplishment and ability, and sensitivity to views of others. 27 references and 2 tables