NCJ Number
156467
Journal
American Jails Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Dated: (May/June 1995) Pages: 45-49
Date Published
1995
Length
5 pages
Annotation
A field study was conducted in Prince Georges County (Md.) to determine whether correctional personnel experience problems unique to working with juvenile offenders, if they currently receive training in providing custody and care to these offenders, and if they believe they would benefit from training in working with juveniles incarcerated in adult correctional facilities.
Abstract
Participants were 14 correctional officers who had provided custody and care to juvenile offenders at the Prince Georges County Detention Center. Interviews revealed that black correctional personnel and staff under age 35 expressed more tolerance and less frustration in working with juvenile offenders than did the other staff. All agreed that communicating with juvenile offenders is different than communicating with adult offenders. Most also agreed that care, custody, and discipline was more difficult with juvenile offenders. None of the participants had received training in providing care and custody to juveniles in adult facilities; most believed that such training would be desirable to develop new skills, do a better job, better understand juvenile behavior, and defuse situations before they escalated. Findings indicated the need for added training, revised policies and procedures, efforts to place correctional personnel appropriately, the establishment of parental support groups, and more research on the dynamics of juveniles in adult facilities. Tables and 9 references