NCJ Number
30399
Date Published
1975
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS FILM INVESTIGATES THE DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED IN CORRECTIONAL TREATMENT OF VIOLENT YOUTHS, AND EXPLORES SUCH TOPICS AS THE CAUSES OF VIOLENT BEHAVIOR, FACTORS AFFECTING TREATMENT OUTCOME, AND THE YOUTHS' ATTITUDES.
Abstract
VIOLENT CRIMES OF ALL TYPES HAVE INCREASED AT AN ALARMING RATE IN RECENT YEARS. THIS FILM CONCENTRATES ON ONE OF THE MOST DISTURBING ASPECTS OF THIS PROBLEM - VIOLENT CRIME COMMITTED BY OUR NATION'S YOUTH. ALTHOUGH LITTLE IS KNOWN OF THE ACTUAL CAUSES OF VIOLENT BEHAVIOR, THE FILM NOTES THAT THESE YOUTHS APPEAR TO COME FROM SIMILAR BACKGROUNDS: A POOR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT AND A DISORGANIZED AND TURBULENT FAMILY SITUATION. THERE IS STILL LESS AGREEMENT ON THE BEST TREATMENT METHODS FOR DELINQUENT YOUTH. THE TWO MOST COMMON VIEWS ON TREATMENT ARE OUTLINED BY MEANS OF INTERVIEWS WITH POLICE AND JUVENILE CORRECTIONS ADMINISTRATORS. ON THE ONE HAND, SOME ADVOCATE PUNISHMENT AND PROTECTION OF SOCIETY AS THE BEST MEANS OF TREATING VIOLENT YOUTHS; AT THE SAME TIME, A REHABILITATIVE MODEL IS ADVOCATED BY MANY. THROUGH AN INVESTIGATION OF A SPECIFIC CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION FOR SERIOUSLY DELINQUENT YOUTHS - THE GOSHEN FACILITY IN NEW YORK STATE - AN OVERVIEW OF THE TREATMENT ISSUES AND PROBLEMS IS PROVIDED. AMONG THESE ARE THE HIGH RECIDIVISM RATES OF RELEASED YOUTHS, CONTINUING DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR IN THE INSTITUTION, ESCAPES FROM THE INSTITUTION, AND LACK OF TREATMENT IMPACT ON JUVENILES. OF PARTICULAR INTEREST ARE THE SEVERAL INTERVIEWS WITH DELINQUENT, VIOLENT YOUTHS THEMSELVES, WHICH HIGHLIGHT THE YOUTH'S CASUAL ATTITUDES TOWARDS VIOLENCE AND CRIME, THEIR VIEWS ON INSTITUTIONAL TREATMENT, AND THE PERSONAL EXPERIENCES WHICH MAY HAVE LED TO THEIR VIOLENT BEHAVIOR.