NCJ Number
79472
Date Published
1979
Length
261 pages
Annotation
This study surveyed 11 residential treatment homes for juveniles in Tucson, Ariz., to test a comprehensive environmental evaluation instrument and a longitudinal environmental evaluation instrument. The results may be of use to those interested in assessing the environmental features, functioning, and therapeutic climate of halfway houses.
Abstract
The study had nine objectives which include developing instruments, testing the reliability and validity of the instruments, and demonstrating the instruments' utility for evaluating residential treatment facilities, particularly its potential for generating guidelines for such homes. The test for external validity of the instruments found no significant validity. The other objectives were met by semistructured interviews which captured data on 121 behavior settings in the 11 homes. Results indicated differences among houses, among students, and many other factors associated with environmental features of the homes and the behaviors of the people in the homes. Several environmental design guidelines are offered. It is recommended that homes should be located in residential neighborhoods; that residents of homes should be able to walk or ride bicycles to schools, recreational areas, grocery stores, and administrative facilities; that quiet and noisy areas in the home should be separated; that there should be private areas for private behaviors; and that the design should minimize maintenance. Tables, data collection instruments, maps, and references are provided. Papers on environmental needs of juvenile group homes, the institutional use of the group house, and design guidelines, are also included. (Author summary modified)