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NON-PRISON - A NEW APPROACH TO TREATING YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS

NCJ Number
54283
Editor(s)
G SALEEBY
Date Published
1970
Length
137 pages
Annotation
A COMMUNITY CORRECTIONAL CENTER MODEL IS DESCRIBED AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL PRISONS. THE CENTERS WILL BE LOCATED IN THE COMMUNITY, HAVE FLEXIBLE METHODS OF CONTROL, AND DEAL WITH CLIENTS IN GROUPS OF 16.
Abstract
THE COMMUNITY CORRECTIONAL CENTER'S DESIGN HAS THESE FEATURES: IT PROVIDES A SECURE RESIDENTIAL CONFINEMENT FOR 48 YOUNG ADULT MALE OFFENDERS IN 3 SELF-CONTAINED AND HIGHLY FLEXIBLE LIVING AREAS, EACH DESIGNED FOR 16 PERSONS; IT PROVIDES NONSECURE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR 15 ADDITIONAL PERSONS IN CIRCUMSTANCES SIMILAR TO THOSE PROVIDED BY CURRENT HALFWAY HOUSE PROGRAMS; FACILITIES ARE LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY THAT SUPPLIES THE PROGRAM POPULATION AND LOOKS LIKE MOTELS OR APARTMENT HOUSES; IT CONTAINS OFFICE SPACE AND OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PROGRAMMING 250 TO 300 FORMER RESIDENTS WHO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY BUT REMAIN UNDER THE PROGRAM'S JURISDICTION; AND IT CONTAINS A FAIRLY EXTENSIVE COMMUNITY USE AREA, INCLUDING A GYM, SNACK BAR, AND OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL SPACE. DIFFERENT TYPES OF TREATMENT PROGRAMS (INDIVIDUAL CASEWORK OPERANT CONDITIONING, COULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS MANAGEMENT MODEL BUT CLIENT PARTICIPATION IN DECISONMAKING IS A PRINCIPAL TENET OF THE PROGRAM. TREATMENT WILL FOLLOW A THREE-PHASE PROCESS, AND THE LIVING CONDITIONS FOR GROUPS OF INMATES WILL REFLECT THIS PROCESS. THE FIRST PHASE, DURING WHICH THE INMATE LIVES UNDER SECURE CONDITIONS INVOLVES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CHANGE CLIMATE. THE SECOND PHASE, DURING WHICH THE CLIENT LIVES IN THE SECURE UNIT BUT HAS ACCESS TO THE COMMUNITY FOR WORK, SCHOOL, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES, INVOLVES THE INITIAL ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW BEHAVIOR MODES; AND THE THIRD PHASE, DURING WHICH THE CLIENT LIVES IN THE COMMUNITY BUT IS SUPERVISED BY THE STAFF, INVOLVES TESTING, CONSOLIDATION, AND ELABORATION OF THE CHANGED BEHAVIOR. THE COMMUNITY'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE TREATMENT CENTER AND CLIENTS IS DISCUSSED, AND STAFF REQUIREMENTS, RESEARCH AND EVALUATION NEEDS, ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS, AND COST NEEDS FOR THE CENTER ARE REVIEWED. THE APPENDIXES PROVIDE ARCHITECTURAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE CENTER, DESCRIBE NECESSARY FACILITIES, AND INCLUDE A BIBLIOGRAPHY. (DAG)