NCJ Number
141352
Date Published
1993
Length
57 pages
Annotation
Data were collected on 176 potential youth probation clients to determine whether an experimental "youth probation" program for detained minors in the Netherlands meets the anticipated needs for assistance of the target group.
Abstract
Seventy-seven percent of the youths accepted the program's voluntary offer of help, and 48 percent indicated they wanted help with school and with relationships with their parents. The remaining 29 percent also wanted help, but it was not possible for the social workers to provide the assistance requested. In nearly all of these cases, it was the illegal residence status of the youths which prevented the social workers from doing more than visiting them regularly. The social workers primarily gathered and provided information to the youths and additionally contacted the lawyer and/or the youths' parents. Five of ten cases were terminated favorably, and aftercare was guaranteed. The remaining contacts (47 percent) were terminated mostly because of youths withdrawing from the voluntary program prematurely or because their illegal residence status made further assistance impossible. A way to enhance program success might be for social workers to report regularly to the judiciary on the course and outcomes of the program. 17 footnotes and 19 tables