NCJ Number
147906
Journal
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology Volume: 26 Issue: 2 Dated: (July 1993) Pages: 171-183
Date Published
1993
Length
13 pages
Annotation
The Day in Prison crime prevention model was proposed in Victoria, Australia, in 1989 to deter young offenders.
Abstract
Launched as a 12-month pilot program in November 1989, the Day in Prison scheme was later extended to all metropolitan courts. The program was established as a special condition of bail (postconviction but presentence), requiring the offender to participate in the program and obey directions of the community corrections officer. Program participants had to be between 17 and 25 years of age, facing imprisonment, and free of any mental disability. In addition, they could not participate if they had been incarcerated other than the Youth Training Centre or police cells, and they had to consent in writing to participate. An evaluation of the program, and others like it, revealed little or no measurable effect on crime prevention. The only value of the program appeared to involve intensive followup services directed to the specific needs of young offenders. The program was suspended in 1991 following allegations of beatings administered to a participant. The authors conclude that coercive, intimidating, and degrading aversion techniques associated with the Day in Prison program should not be used for individual deterrence. 29 references, and 3 notes