Recognizing that community acceptance of potential juvenile justice treatment programs often determines the success or failure of the programs, an assessment model was developed to assist in policy planning. The procedure applies the tenets and methods of subjective expectancy utility models. (Author/GK)

Reports a continuation of prior research testing a theoretical model which predicts that juveniles subjected to abuse will not become aggressive but will engage in escape and social avoidance behaviors. Analysis supported the hypothesis. (Author)

Examined records of 558 juveniles sheltered at short-term residential facility for five years to determine effect of Illinois' Minor Requiring Authoritative Intervention (MRAI) statute on status offenders. Results indicated that dispositions of clients MRAI legislation were not significantly different from earlier dispositions under old Minor in…

This paper assesses the parens patriae orientation, which is often considered to be at the core of the operation of juvenile courts, and discovers that existing ideas concerning its role must be revised. In opposition to common theory it appears that parens patriae at best shares influence with a number of other orientations in juvenile courts,…

A follow-up study was conducted in 1972 among 105 ex-campers in Florida who had been out of the therapeutic situation for at least a year. From the ratings of competent judges, working independently with information from interview reports and records of the behaviors of the ex-campers, it was found that 70% were improved to some degree, and 42%…

Proposed to develop and evaluate a psychoeducational group program for adolescent male sex offenders. Program participants (n=17) showed increased sexual knowledge, improved psychological attitudes, and improved problem-solving ability, but no improvement in moral judgment. (Author/ABB)

Descriptive report on the Glen Mills Schools, an innovative institution in the field of juvenile corrections. It employs such concepts as an open-system, normative culture, and guided group interaction. Former students fare better than those at other juvenile correctional institutions, with impressive rates of employment and they relate an…

The effect of incarceration on the academic growth of learning disabled juvenile delinquents, as well as the relationship between rate of achievement during incarceration and tenure in the institution, were investigated. Results showed that incarceration did increase academic achievement but that a negative relationship existed between tenure and…

Two groups of 30 randomly selected male students in a state industrial school for youthful offenders were tested with a battery of physiological and psychological measures. The experimental group received a systematic physical fitness program. Significant differences on the posttest measures were found in favor of experimental students. (Author)

Presented findings from a study of a five-year cohort of youths processed through juvenile aid panels and juvenile court. These indicate that the rate of reappearance of youth processed through the panels was similar to that of youths processed through the court. This mechanism was at least as effective as court processing. (Author/BEF)

Examined cognitive-behavioral training procedures designed to enhance social problem-solving and impulse-control skills of delinquent adolescents. Explored multiple baseline design across subjects and tasks and an alternating-treatments design. Presented two different forms of hypothetical social problems to subjects (N=5). Results indicated…

Several studies have shown that a high proportion of criminal delinquents have learning disabilities. In a study started in 1993, Correctional Services of Canada examined learning disabilities as a negative element in the social reintegration of inmates. It was determined that corrective treatment of learning disorders could help the inmates…

Voluntary survey responses of adolescents in corrections facilities (N=893) are compared to those of adolescents in public schools. Findings are highlighted in the following areas: (1) "Youth, Their Families and Their Environments," which includes sections on population description, family composition and relationships, family alcohol…

A random sample of 108 Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) qualified probationers, enrolled in a job training program, were compared to a random sample of community probationers on arrest and conviction records. Both groups achieved a high degree of success, but no significant differences were found. Individual characteristics, rather…

Supporting the beliefs of Jack Tizard, research into delinquency prevention suggests that greater improvements in performance and behavior are likely to result from environmental interventions than attempts to change inner dispositions. (Author/RH)