NCJ Number
158349
Journal
New England Journal on Criminal and Civil Confinement Volume: 21 Issue: 2 Dated: (Summer 1995) Pages: 411-424
Date Published
1995
Length
14 pages
Annotation
The author describes his view of what constitutes an ideal juvenile rehabilitation program for violent juvenile offenders, based on his affiliation with the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services (DYS).
Abstract
Like most human behavior, violence is a multidimensional phenomenon. Reasons for a youth's involvement in violent behavior are extremely varied and thus require different treatment approaches. Some youths need to be in a confrontative environment, while others require a more nurturing environment in order to learn anger and conflict management. The Massachusetts DYS has developed a continuum of service delivery environments that range from locked or secure facilities to community and home tracking. This continuum provides a range of possible treatment settings with different structure and containment levels. The DYS system subscribes to the most fundamental and basic goal of any rehabilitative effort, to assess characteristics and types of holding environments required to effectively treat individuals. Juvenile treatment methods and models are evaluated, effects of youth violence on social networks and communities are discussed, and complex and varied needs of juvenile offenders are explored in the context of juvenile rehabilitation. 37 footnotes