NCJ Number
19876
Date Published
1975
Length
36 pages
Annotation
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE JUVENILE OFFENDERS PLACED UNDER THIS SPECIFIC TREATMENT MODE AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TREATMENT, MEASURED BY THE RATES OF RECIDIVISM, ARE EXAMINED.
Abstract
IN THE VOLUNTEER PROBATION OFFICER (VPO) PROGRAM, PROBATIONERS ARE ASSIGNED ON A ONE-TO-ONE BASIS TO CAREFULLY SCREENED VOLUNTEER PROBATION OFFICERS. THE VOLUNTEER WORKS UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A PAID PROFESSIONAL WORKER, AND MONTHLY REPORTS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY EACH VOLUNTEER. IN THE EVALUATION, EACH JUVENILE WAS FOLLOWED UP FOR A PERIOD OF AT LEAST SIX MONTHS AFTER RELEASE ON PROBATION. DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION WAS COLLECTED CONCERNING SEX, RACE, LIVING ARRANGEMENT, NUMBER OF SIBLINGS, RECEIPT OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, SCHOOL STATUS, AND EDUCATION CLAIMED. FURTHER INFORMATION WAS OBTAINED CONCERNING NUMBER OF TYPE OF REFERRALS PRIOR TO THE REFERRAL WHICH LEAD TO THE TREATMENT DISPOSITION, REASON REFERRED, AGE AT TREATMENT DISPOSITION, LENGTH OF TREATMENT, AND NUMBER OF IN-TREATMENT OFFENSE. THE RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE SUCCESS RATE FOR THE VPO PROGRAM WAS SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN THAT OF SALARIED PROBATION OFFICERS. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE VPO PROGRAM IS A SUCCESSFUL MODE OF TREATMENT FOR THE TYPE OF CLIENT IT SERVES. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE PROGRAM ARE LISTED. THE APPENDIXES INCLUDE TABLES OF DATA ON THOSE JUVENILES STUDIED IN THE EVALUATION. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED) LOUISVILLE AND JEFFERSON COUNTY