NCJ Number
91729
Journal
Juvenile and Family Court Journal Volume: 34 Issue: 3 Dated: (August 1983) Pages: 15-20
Date Published
1983
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study of six coeducational institutions in a southeastern State concludes that a quarter of the residents never felt safe; that is, they were nervous or scared all of the time. Moreover, 80 percent were scared at least some of the time.
Abstract
The institutions were in a State which had implemented widespread reforms following a report documenting abuse and brutality of residents. The original sample consisted of 561 male and female residents, ages 7-17, assigned to the 6 training schools. Residents were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire reporting several factors relating to the respondents' characteristics, amount of time spent in institutions, length of current stay, and runaway activity. Other questions were also asked, and interviews were conducted with selected residents. Staff members also completed a questionnaire and some were interviewed. Observation was used to investigate other dimensions and interactions of cottage life. Overall, the data show that residents in coeducational institutions were not any more positive in their response to institutionalization than residents in single sex training schools. Findings are detailed concerning residents' responses about their safety, their social structure, their attitudes toward staff, their confinement, and coping with institutional life. A total of 14 notes are provided.