Residential Treatment Program for Mentally Retarded Juvenile Offenders (From Retarded Offender, P 328-335, 1982, Miles B Santamour and Patricia S Watson, ed. - See NCJ-88305)

• NCJ Number: 88319
• Author(s): K W Collins
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 8 pages
• Sale Source: Praeger Publishers
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Treatment programs for mentally retarded juvenile offenders in Harris County, Tex., emphasize behavior management, active programming, and therapeutic treatment, with return to the community being the ultimate goal.

Abstract

The program has three residential facilities, which serve mentally retarded male juvenile offenders 13-17 years-old. One facility, located in a rural setting, serves larger, stronger residents who cannot be managed in a facility in the inner city (10 residents). A second facility, located in an urban community, serves younger, smaller clients who demonstrate the social skills required to participate in public school programs. The third facility, also located in an urban area, serves older and larger residents whose aggression has been curbed. This continuum of residential services makes it possible for clients to move from one facility to another depending upon level of aggression, social skills, and peer group needs; however, clients may enter or leave the program from any of the three facilities. An interdisciplinary team develops an individual program for each client. While primary emphasis is on curbing aggressive behavior, objectives are also established for the acquisition of interpersonal and education skills; sensorimotor development; obeying the law; sex education; safety and health; money management; planning, purchasing, and preparing meals; and using public transportation. A point system is used at each facility to shape client behavior and reinforce completion of activities of daily living. Intensive individual and group counseling by a psychologist supplements the point system. Once a client has demonstrated appropriate behavior for a significant time and has acquired skills necessary to enter public school, job training, or employment, a trial placement in the community is undertaken with appropriate monitoring. Fifty-two persons have been discharged from the program, and 52 percent have had no further court involvement.