NCJ Number
141793
Journal
Journal for Juvenile Justice and Detention Services Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Dated: (Fall 1992) Pages: 11-15
Date Published
1992
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article describes the objectives and program elements for the development of a violence-prevention program within a juvenile detention setting.
Abstract
Based on a detention-resident response to concepts for violence prevention composed from a research review, a program outline was developed. Currently, the Violence Prevention Program focuses on confronting the violent belief system in the individual and building social skills for problemsolving. Confrontation of the violent belief system involves open-ended discussions of the nature of violence, whether or when it is justified, and the nature of the triggers that precipitate violence. Emphasis of the facilitators during this discussion is on outcomes of violence and the real-life consequences of pain and suffering. Role plays help residents to describe the needs of the perpetrators and the bystanders. This begins the process of teaching residents how to break down an emotional situation cognitively, so as to prevent an impulsive and often violent response. Pretests and posttests of residents' attitudes on violence showed a change from the attitudes they brought into the detention center to increased acceptance of the attitudes taught in the program. Although these findings do not ensure a change in violent behavior after release, it has expanded residents' perceptions of how they can handle conflicts nonviolently. 11 references