A discriminant function analysis identified eight statistically significant variables which differentiated adolescents placed in mental health or juvenile justice systems. In order of decreasing importance they are: ethnicity, gender, depression, previous mental health history, productivity, drug use, parental marital history, and parental…

Describes personal, social, and political factors contributing toward youth crime upsurge in China since 1960. Describes "Bang-Jab" youth delinquency rehabilitation approach which relies on community system of support to bolster youth's self-esteem and financial security. Argues that bang-jab volunteers understand conditions in their…

Few juvenile offenders reintegrate into formal educational and vocational programs after incarceration. This article describes a program of educational assistance provided by a team of educational specialists for youth returning to the community. (JOW)

Reviews the rationale and concepts involved in the behavioral evaluation of delinquents and provides several approaches and instruments for organizing information about youths in trouble. Provides a format and process for preparing a behavioral assessment report. (Author/LHW)

Presents the results of a longitudinal experiment focused on the relative efficacy of varying treatments for juvenile offenders (N=213). All treatment conditions involving a specific intervention model located outside the formal juvenile justice system produced lower recidivism rates than the attention-placebo, treatment-as-usual control, or…

Summarizes the history of the emergence, beginning in the 1970s, of correctional education (CE) as a unique subset of the education profession. Discusses reasons for the increased national focus on CE and the problems teachers encounter in the prison environment. Recommends careful screening in selecting individuals for the CE profession. (NRJ)

Two program goals were: (1) providing a community-based alternative for arrested juveniles who otherwise would have been referred to the juvenile justice system; and (2) reducing juvenile delinquency. Results from various measures indicated the program had little success in decreasing referrals but produced positive delinquency reduction effects.…

The author's principal concerns are (1) the impact of detention on youth, family, and community; (2) the elements of sound intake processes; and (3) the roles of detention personnel and counselors or probation officers following admission, and how these roles might be deployed to insure minimal social losses to detained juveniles. (Author/DB)

Adopting the perspectives of the philosophers Plato and Rawls, addresses the issues of juvenile offenders' rehabilitation and consent. Focuses on paternalistic intervention, autonomous decision-making ability, and moral immaturity. Discusses Plato's theme of rehabilitating offenders' sick souls, whether they agree or not, and Rawls more democratic…

See Forever school offers a program of work- and school-based learning for youth who have been involved with the Washington, DC, juvenile justice system. The year-round school includes 10-hour school days, required jobs, and high expectations. (JOW)

The results of four studies conducted to measure the effectiveness of Clinical Rehabilitation Support Teams (Project CREST) are summarized. Professional counseling was provided to delinquent youths, as were regular probation services--a dual-treatment model. Studies indicate that clients in the CREST program have consistently shown decreased…

Families can help delinquents change. Behavioral family contracting applies the social learning approach to a series of family agreements or contracts. It provides structure, a natural system for learning and changing, commitment, and responsibility. (Author/LHW)

Reviews the rationale for social skills training with delinquents. Describes one program that uses discussion, modeling, role-playing, positive reinforcement, and shaping. Presents four scales for behavioral assessment to access social skills, assertion/aggression, violation of minor rules and regulations, and evaluation of the program by each…

Reviews various social learning and counseling approaches utilized by psychotherapists in one-to-one clinical behavior therapy. Behavior analysis, family contracting, and social skills training are used as are other office-based clinical behavior therapy techniques to help delinquents change. (Author/LHW)

Presents the social learning approaches in group homes for delinquents as an alternative to institutionalization. Describes two behavioral group homes that are not only effective but cost less than institutions. (Author/LHW)