NCJ Number
86384
Date Published
1981
Length
93 pages
Annotation
Sprang is a Dutch pretrial detention center for juveniles (predominantly aged 18-23), which places special emphasis on resocialization (work experience), individualized assistance with personal problems (drugs, family) and avoidance of prisonization effects from the institutional climate.
Abstract
The evaluation compared the Sprang (S) regime to Haarlem I (H), a traditional, more restricted juvenile detention center. Case records review (n. 475-S, 337-H), semistructured interviews with inmates (n. 101-S, 60-H) and ex-inmates (n. released: 17-S, 12-H; n. in correctional institutions: 40-S, 30-H) were used. Considered were inmates' social conditions before detention, the institutional climate and programming at the two detention centers, and postdetention histories either at liberty or in correctional institutions. The Sprang regime distinguishes itself from Haarlem in terms of daily activities and general atmosphere, with most inmates rating the experience as useful and the activities enjoyable. Transfer to correctional institutions was a negative experience for inmates of both detention centers, but especially for those from Sprang. Ex-inmates of Sprang reported more self-reliance and better relationships with others after release. Recidivism data showed only a small difference between the two detention centers, indicating that although the Sprang regime can not halt recidivism, it did inhibit it slightly. Footnotes, charts, tabular data, and a 21-item bibliography are given. Study-related explanatory material is appended.