NCJ Number
46763
Date Published
1977
Length
13 pages
Annotation
SCREENING AND SELECTION PROCEDURES, DIAGNOSTIC METHODS, AND TREATMENT ASPECTS OF A HOSPITAL-BASED PROGRAM FOR THE REHABILITATION OF VIOLENT JUVENILE OFFENDERS ARE EVALUATED.
Abstract
IN 1976 THE COURT RELATED UNIT AT BRONX STATE HOSPITAL, NEW YORK, WAS ESTABLISHED TO CONTAIN AND REHABILITATE A TARGET POPULATION OF VIOLENT AND DISTURBED ADJUDICATED MALE JUVENILE DELINQUENTS, OFFENDERS IN NEED OF EXTENSIVE DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION TO DETERMINE ANY STATE OF MENTAL ILLNESS, AS WELL AS INTENSIVE THERAPEUTIC AND REHABILITATIVE INTERVENTION. THE PROJECT OPERATES UNDER TWO STATE AGENCIES, THE DIVISION FOR YOUTH AND THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HYGIENE. AT THE END OF THE FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION, THE FUNDING AGENCY RECRUITED FIVE OUT-OF-STATE EXPERTS TO EVALUATE THE PROJECT. THIS TEAM CONSISTED OF TWO PSYCHIATRISTS FAMILIAR WITH ADOLESCENCE AND INSTITUTIONALIZED YOUTH; TWO PSYCHOLOGISTS, ONE OF WHOM WORKED SPECIFICALLY IN THE AREA OF VIOLENCE; AND AN ATTORNEY. TIME LIMITATIONS PREVENTED AN INDEPTH RESEARCH DESIGN. THE EVALUATORS WERE SIMPLY ASKED TO SPEND AS MANY DAYS AS POSSIBLE AT THE PROJECT SITE AND ALSO TO READ MATERIALS DEALING WITH THE OPERATIONS OF THE PROJECT AND ITS CLIENTELE. A WRITTEN REPORT BASED ON EACH EVALUATOR'S OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS WAS THEN COMPOSED. THE REPORT CONCLUDES THAT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROGRAM CANNOT BE SEEN ON A SHORT-TERM BASIS. HOWEVER, THE SCREENING, DIAGNOSTIC, AND TREATMENT PROCEDURES UTILIZED ARE PROPER AND ADEQUATE. THE OPERATING STRUCTURE, ESPECIALLY AS IT RELATES TO COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE TWO SPONSORING AGENCIES, IS CALLED AN AREA OF DIFFICULTY, BUT ONE THAT SEEMS TO BE IMPROVING WITH TIME. (RCB)