NCJ Number
15285
Date Published
1973
Length
334 pages
Annotation
SURVEY OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF MEN LIVING IN PHILADELPHIA'S SKID ROW AREA WITH DISCUSSION OF PROBLEMS IN THE AREA, SUCH AS ALCOHOLISM, DISEASE, AND EXPLOITATION.
Abstract
AN EXPLANATION IS GIVEN OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PHILADELPHIA SKID ROW PROJECT. THE PHILOSOPHY AND SERVICES OF THE DIAGNOSTIC AND REHABILITATION CENTER ARE EXPLAINED AND RELATED TO THE GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SKID ROW MEN. A NUMBER OF BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENTS ABOUT SKID ROW MEN ARE ALSO INCLUDED. PART TWO OF THE DOCUMENT DISCUSSES THE INTERACTION OF ALCOHOL AND THE SLUM. AN EXAMINATION IS PRESENTED OF THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE SKID ROW MAN TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, WHICH CONCLUDES THAT, WHILE THIS IS AN OVERSIMPLIFICATION, THE POLICE DO CONSTITUTE OPPRESSORS OF SKID ROW MEN UNDER SOME CIRCUMSTANCES. PART THREE CONSIDERS EFFORTS TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF REHABILITATION PROCEDURES. THESE INCLUDE A GROUP THERAPY EXPERIMENT AT THE PHILADELPHIA HOUSE OF CORRECTION, HOUSING RELOCATION AWAY FROM SKID ROW, AND A RESIDENTIAL HALFWAY HOUSE BETWEEN SKID ROW AND THE LARGER COMMUNITY.