NCJ Number
11992
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 18 Issue: 4 Dated: (OCTOBER 1973) Pages: 385-397
Date Published
1973
Length
13 pages
Annotation
MASSACHUSETTS STUDY UNDERTAKEN AT THE TIME OF THE ABOLITION OF CLOSED INSTITUTIONS TO DECIDE WHERE TO PLACE JUVENILES COMMITTED FOR ASSAULTIVE ACTS.
Abstract
ONE HUNDRED BOYS CHARGED WITH ASSAULTIVE OFFENSES WERE REFERRED BY THE MASSACHUSETTS STATE DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH SERVICES (D.Y.S.) FOR RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH MIGHT IMPROVE THE CHANCES FOR THE BOYS' PERSONAL AND SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT, AND ASSIST PAROLE BOARDS TO DECIDE WHICH 'ASSAULTIVE' BOYS MIGHT 'SAFELY' BE RETURNED TO THE COMMUNITY. EACH BOY WAS GIVEN A COMPLETE PSYCHIATRIC INTERVIEW AND PLACED IN ONE OF SEVEN DIAGNOSTIC CATEGORIES. THE MAJORITY OF THE BOYS WERE PLACED IN THE NEUROTIC CATEGORY, WHICH WAS FURTHER DIVIDED INTO THREE SUBGROUPS BASED ON IMPULSE CONTROL. THE RESULTS SHOW THAT MOST OF THE BOYS WOULD NOT BE CLASSIFIED AS DANGEROUS TYPES. MOST OF THEIR OFFENSES WERE RESULTS OF MOMENTARY PANIC. MOST WERE RAISED UNDER POOR SOCIAL CONDITIONS, AND MANY WERE EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED. AS A RESULT OF THIS STUDY, 48 BOYS WERE RECOMMENDED FOR RETURN HOME UNDER INTENSIVE PAROLE SUPERVISION. OTHERS WERE RECOMMENDED FOR PAROLE WITH OPEN PLACEMENT, CLOSED REHABILITATIVE PROGRAMS, MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTIONS, AND SPECIAL VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS. THREE CASE STUDIES ARE INCLUDED IN THIS STUDY.