NCJ Number
26491
Journal
Corrections Magazine Volume: 1 Issue: 5 Dated: (MAY/JUNE 1975) Pages: 41-48
Date Published
1975
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THE PHILADELPHIA YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER (YDC) IS A SET OF COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE HELP FOR TOUGH INNER-CITY BOYS AND GIRLS BETWEEN FIFTEEN AND EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD.
Abstract
INTAKE FOR THE PROGRAM COMES FROM BOTH COURTS AND SCHOOLS, THE LATTER ACCOUNTING FOR SIXTY PERCENT OF THE REFERRALS. THERE ARE BOTH DAY CARE AND RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS FOR A MAXIMUM TOTAL OF 400 PERSONS. NEW CLIENTS ARE SCREENED AT A CLASSIFICATION CENTER FOR THREE WEEKS TO TWO MONTHS TO DECIDE WHAT PROGRAM WILL SUIT THEM BEST. ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS OF THE WELDING SHOP GRADUATES OF WHICH MAY CLASSIFY AS THIRD-CLASS WELDERS. TREATING PEOPLE LIKE RESPONSIBLE ADULTS IS ONE OF THE STRONG POINTS OF THE YDC. THIS TREATMENT STARTS AT THE COURTROOM DOOR IF THE CLIENT IS COURT-REFERRED. RATHER THAN ALLOW THE SHERIFF TO TRANSPORT THE CLIENT BOUND BY HANDCUFFS, AN UNARMED STAFF MEMBER GOES TO THE COURTHOUSE TO PICK HIM UP. THE PROGRAM ALSO UTILIZES INDEPENDENT LIVING - ONE OF THE CONTROVERSIAL ELEMENTS. THE CLIENTS ACTUALLY HAVE THEIR OWN APARTMENT AND LEARN TO APPRECIATE THE BENEFITS OF FREE SOCIETY, LIKE HAVING A SAY IN WHO COMES AND GOES. OTHER COMPONENTS OF YDC ARE DESCRIBED.