NCJ Number
16018
Date Published
1964
Length
249 pages
Annotation
DESCRIPTION OF THE ESTABLISHMENT IN 1961 AND THE FIRST THREE YEARS OF OPERATION OF NORTHWAYS, A MODEL THERAPEUTIC HOME FOR DELINQUENT BOYS IN BRITAIN.
Abstract
THIS THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY, BASED ON A FAMILY MODEL, WAS DESIGNED TO HELP OVERINSTITUTIONALIZED BOYS TO ADAPT TO AN INDEPENDENT OUTSIDE LIFE. THE HOME OFFERED PSYCHOSOCIAL TREATMENT TO A SELECTED GROUP OF DELINQUENT BOYS AGED 17 TO 21 WHO HAD BEEN DISCHARGED FROM THE BORSTAL SYSTEM AFTER A MINIMUM OF 5 YEARS IN AN INSTITUTION. ALL BOYS ADMITTED TO NORTHWAYS WERE CONSIDERED HIGH RECONVICTION RISKS. THE EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE HOME IS DISCUSSED IN DETAIL, ALONG WITH THE PERSONALITIES OF THE 21 BOYS ADMITTED TO THE PROGRAM AND THE THERAPEUTIC TECHNIQUES USED. THE PROGRESS OF THE NORTHWAYS BOYS WAS COMPARED WITH THAT OF TWO DIFFERENT CONTROL GROUPS - BOYS WHO HAD HOMES TO GO TO WHEN THEY WERE DISCHARGED AND HOMELESS BOYS WHO WENT THROUGH THE NORMAL AFTER-CARE PROCEDURE. RECONVICTION FOR THESE GROUPS WERE 45 AND 65 PERCENT RESPECTIVELY, AS COMPARED A RATE OF 38 PERCENT FOR NORTHWAYS BOYS. THE CAUSES OF THE EIGHT FAILURES AT NORTHWAYS ARE ALSO EXPLORED.