NCJ Number
77434
Date Published
1980
Length
25 pages
Annotation
A profile is presented for the North Carolina training schools' delinquent population following the implementation of legislation prohibiting the commitment of status offenders to training schools.
Abstract
The legislation, effective July 1, 1978, has reduced the general population of training schools and changed the population configuration. The majority of the training school students are male, 45 percent are black, and the average age is 14. A majority of the students are likely to have been on probation prior to their commitment. The most frequent offense warranting placement in a training school was breaking and entering. At the time of their commitment, only 25 percent of the students were living with both parents, a figure much lower than that for the general State population of children. Of those living with only one parent, that parent was most often the mother. Major family problems experienced by the students were child abuse and neglect, parental involvement with the criminal courts, and parental alcoholism. The mean number of social service agency contacts for the students was 2.5, with the types of contacts varying greatly, showing the inability of other services and agencies to provide needed treatment. The mean number of court contacts prior to training school commitment was 3.3. Over 71 percent of the students were in training school for their first time. Special problems most often identified were mental retardatation and emotional disturbance. Behavioral problems most cited were temper outbursts, alcohol and substance abuse, and chronic fighting. There was a notable inability to accept supervision and cooperate with staff and peers. The mean IQ score was 81. The most frequent academic needs were reading/language arts and math. About 58 percent of the students needed dental care, and 17 percent required internal medical care. This profile information is intended to be used in planning more effective treatment programs for the training school population. Tabular data are provided. (Author abstract modified)