Treatment of Juvenile Criminal Offenders at Liberty - A Study of the Typical-Specific Treatment in the 'Community Treatment Project' in Sacramento (CA)

• NCJ Number: 70640
• Author(s): H Eidt
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 386 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: German
• Country: West Germany (Former)
• Note: Kriminologische Studien (Criminological Studies), V 16.

Annotation

The juvenile treatment system of the Community Treatment Project in Sacramento is described and evaluated using all the pertinent literature available.

Abstract

The object of the study is to determine whether a comparable out-of-prison treatment program for offenders might be appropriate to the West German context. Review of the various experimental programs in the United States shows steady improvement in techniques and methods, despite inadequate evaluation of their effectiveness. The Community Treatment Project is based on the Integration Level Theory. This theory holds that the human personality develops in stages affected by contact with the environment and that offenders have stopped developing at some stage of development. Treatment involves identifying offenders' stage of maturity and encouraging their ability to adapt freely. Such techniques as guided group interaction, various types of group therapy, family therapy, and tutoring are used. Treatment personnel are matched to the specific needs of clients. Offenders are classified according to an Integration Level Scheme which is convenient but difficult to validate. The treatment project is criticized for inconsistency in policy and in the decision-making practices of the Board. Nevertheless, the results of the program, measured in terms of recidivism, are at least as positive as those of institutionalization. Positive results are attributed to matching procedures, outstanding personnel, intensive intervention made possible by small treatment groups, emphasis on working out staff-probationer relationships, and individualized treatment decisions. Introduction of similar programs in West Germany is recommended to avoid damage to juveniles from imprisonment. Provisions in German law for juvenile arrest can function as the basis for the short term detention period which is part of the Community Treatment Program. Initiation of the program is deemed possible if the education concept in existing German law is expanded. Tables, notes, and a bibliography are supplied. --in German.