NCJ Number
27473
Date Published
1975
Length
29 pages
Annotation
BREMER HOUSE, IN ST. PAUL (MN), IS A HIGHLY STRUCTURED RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR YOUNG ADULT MEN CONVICTED OF FELONIES OR GROSS MISDEMEANORS THAT USES GUIDED GROUP INTERACTION THERAPY.
Abstract
RESIDENTS OF BREMER HOUSE ARE NOT OTHERWISE ELIGIBLE FOR PROBATION. HOWEVER, THOSE PLACED THERE ARE DONE SO AS A CONDITION OF PROBATION. THERE ARE SEVEN BASIC STAGES IN THE PROGRAM, AND PRIVILEGES AND FREEDOM ARE INCREASED AT EACH STEP UNTIL SUCCESSFUL TERMINATION FROM THE PROGRAM. RESIDENTS PAY ROOM, BOARD, AND RESTITUTION (IF SO ORDERED) WHILE IN THE PROGRAM. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT A PROGRAM SUCH AS BREMER HOUSE IS AN EFFECTIVE MEANS OF DIVERTING SOME YOUNG MEN FROM ENTRY INTO A TRADITIONAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION. ALTHOUGH SOMEWHAT LESS THAN HALF OF THOSE TERMINATED TO DATE WERE SUCCESSFULLY DISCHARGED, THE COST OF TREATMENT IN THE BREMER HOUSE PROGRAM WAS SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN IT WOULD HAVE BEEN HAD THESE MEN BEEN INCARCERATED IN THE STATE PRISON OR THE STATE REFORMATORY. MEANWHILE THESE YOUNG OFFENDERS LIVE AND WORK IN THE COMMUNITY, PAY TAXES AND MAINTAIN FAMILY TIES. THE BREMER HOUSE PROGRAM AND ITS RESIDENTS' CHARACTERISTICS ARE DESCRIBED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)