NCJ Number
49907
Journal
Journal of Applied Behavioral Science Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY/ FEBRUARY/MARCH 1966) Pages: 109-129
Date Published
1966
Length
21 pages
Annotation
THE ESSEXFIELDS PROGRAM ATTEMPTS TO REPLACE DEVIANT NORMS WITH PROSOCIAL NORMS THROUGH THE IMPACT OF THE GROUP EXPERIENCE. THE EFFECTIVENESS AND POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS OF THE PROGRAM ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE ESSEXFIELDS PROGRAM, A NONRESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM RUN BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INSTITUTIONS AND AGENCIES IN NEW JERSEY, WAS DESIGNED TO REHABILITATE 16- AND 17-YEAR OLD DELINQUENT BOYS WHOSE DELINQUENT ACTIVITIES WERE ACCOMPANIED BY PEER GROUP AFFILIATIONS. ESSEXFIELDS IS A SELF-CONTAINED SOCIAL SYSTEM EMPHASIZING THE WORK SITUATION. THE 20 PARTICIPANTS (5 ADMITTED EACH MONTH TO THE 4-MONTH PROGRAM) MEET IN THE MORNING AT THE FACILITY IN A HIGH-DELINQUENCY AREA OF NEWARK. THEY ARE BUSED TO A COUNTY MENTAL HOSPITAL WHERE THEY WORK TOGETHER AT VARIOUS TASKS FOR THE ENTIRE DAY; THEY ARE PAID $1 PER DAY. THEY RETURN TO THE FACILITY FOR SUPPER, RECREATION, COUNSELING, AND GUIDED GROUP INTERACTION UNTIL 10:00 P.M., AT WHICH TIME THEY RETURN HOME. THE PROGRAM IS HELD FOR 5 DAYS EACH WEEK. ESSEXFIELDS UTILIZES THE APPLICATION OF PEER GROUP PRESSURE TO HELP A GROUP MEMBER CONFORM TO CONVENTIONAL NORMS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME FURTHERING FREEDOM OF BEHAVIORAL CHOICES. IT IS HOPED THAT THE LOYALTY OF THE DELINQUENT WILL BE TRANSFERRED FROM HIS DELINQUENT GROUP WITHIN THE COMMUNITY TO THE PEER GROUP AT ESSEXFIELDS AND THAT THE PROCESS WILL RESULT IN THE ACCEPTANCE OF LAW-ABIDING VALUES. ESSEXFIELDS ATTEMPTS TO PROVIDE THE ADOLESCENT WITH A MEANINGFUL TRANSITIONARY PERIOD WHEN HE IS PREPARING TO REENTER THE COMMUNITY AND CONTINUES TO UTILIZE GRADUATE PEER GROUPS TO CONTINUE HIS DEVELOPMENT. AN EVALUATION OF THE ESSEXFIELDS EXPERIMENT IS BEING EXTENDED OVER A PERIOD OF 7 YEARS. THE EVALUATION INCLUDES THREE ASPECTS: (1) THE RECIDIVISM STUDY; (2) ANALYSIS OF THE TREATMENT PROCESS; AND (3) AN EXAMINATION OF THE EXPERIENCES AND PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY THE ADMINISTRATION. DATA ARE BEING COLLECTED AT THE TIME OF THIS WRITING, AND FINDINGS WILL BE PRESENTED IN A LATER PAPER. THE ESSEXFIELDS CONCEPT IS BEING EMPLOYED IN OTHER PROGRAMS IN THE NEW JERSEY AREA, AND CHILD GUIDANCE CLINICS AND FAMILY SERVICE AGENCIES ARE REEXAMINING THEIR TRADITIONAL APPROACHES TO THE TREATMENT OF ADOLESCENTS AS A RESULT OF THE ESSEXFIELDS EXPERIMENT. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (KJM)