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DOING YOUR BIRD ON THE H P - THE CHANGING SHAPE OF INTERMEDIATE TREATMENT

NCJ Number
56443
Journal
Howard Journal of Penology and Crime Prevention Volume: 18 Issue: 1 Dated: (1979) Pages: 17-28
Author(s)
J PITTS
Date Published
1979
Length
12 pages
Annotation
INTERMEDIATE TREATMENT PROGRAMS SET UP UNDER THE CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS ACT OF 1969 GREW SO RAPIDLY THAT MANY ABANDONED THE TREATMENT FUNCTION REQUIRED BY THE ACT AND BEGAN EXERTING A CONTROL FUNCTION.
Abstract
THIS BRITISH JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM LAW SPECIFIED TWO TYPES OF INTERMEDIATE TREATMENT: (1) 'RESIDENTIAL' ORDERS WHICH MAY REQUIRE THE SUBJECT TO RESIDE IN A SPECIFIED PLACE FOR A CONTINUOUS PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED 90 DAYS DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF THE ORDER, AND (2) A 'NONRESIDENTIAL' ORDER WHICH MAY REQUIRE THE SUBJECT TO ATTEND OR PARTICIPATE IN AN ACTIVITY (GROUP THERAPY, DAY SCHOOL, OR OTHER PROGRAM) FOR A MAXIMUM OF 30 SESSIONS PER YEAR FOR 3 YEARS. VERY FEW RESIDENTIAL ORDERS HAVE BEEN ISSUED. THE NONRESIDENTIAL ORDERS HAVE PROLIFERATED UNTIL IN 1976-1977 ABOUT 8,000 YOUNGSTERS WERE ENROLLED IN INTERMEDIATE PROGRAMS. THE TREATMENT WAS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SOMETHING STRONGER THAN PROBATION, BUT NOT AS CONTROLLING AS AN INSTITUTION. THE RESULT HAS BEEN THAT THE NEED FOR SECURE DETENTION HAS REMAINED UNCHANGED. BECAUSE MAGISTRATES BYPASSED THE MINIMUM-SECURITY COMMUNITY HOMES WITH EDUCATION, BETWEEN 1971 AND 1978 THE POPULATION OF THESE HOMES DECLINED BY ABOUT 1,000 OR 15 PERCENT. A FEW HAVE CLOSED AND THE REMAINING ARE FACING HIGHER COSTS PER CLIENT. THE GOVERNMENT HAS URGED THAT FUNDS BE DIVERTED FROM RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES TO INTERMEDIATE TREATMENT PROGRAMS. THE DIVERSITY OF YOUNG PEOPLE SERVED, HOWEVER, HAS LED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN 'INTENSIVE INTERMEDIATE TREATMENT,' WHICH EXERTS AS MUCH CONTROL OVER THE YOUNG PERSON'S LIFE AS THE OLD INSTITUTIONS. THIS NEW DEVELOPMENT DEFEATS THE ORIGINAL INTENT OF THE ACT. THE GROWTH OF INTENSIVE TREATMENT IS STRONGLY CRITICIZED. NOTES AND REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (GLR)