Over the past several decades, the number of youth with parents in prison in the United States has increased substantially. Findings thus far indicate that they are a vulnerable group of children. Using prospective longitudinal data gathered as part of the population-based Linking the Interests of Families and Teachers (LIFT) randomized controlled…

Describes community hostel for rehabilitating young offenders outside family environment. Describes way of life at community hostel, emphasizing its socio-behavioral intervention strategies. Notes close relationship between hostel, local community, and families of residents. Presents follow-up data concerning various aspects of 43 graduates'…

Abridges Glasser's (1975) theory of United States as identity society to explicate causative characteristics of "identity achievers" versus "failures" in U.S. society. Discusses Reality Therapy and therapeutic treatment programs developed by Hope Center Wilderness Camp. Presents evidence to suggest that group-integrated reality…

Examines the development and implementation of two training programs for youth advancement counselors that aim to improve counselors' self-efficacy and stress-coping abilities. Findings show that both versions positively affected self-efficacy, with self-efficacy of the subject group being significantly increased when compared to control groups.…

Reviews data concerning the rate of offending and the rate of victimization among children and adolescents, highlighting the lack of comprehensive national data on victimization. Children and adolescents are at substantially greater risk, on the basis of statistical incidence, for the commission of "nuisance offenses" than for serious…

Compares behaviors and social environments of African-American males in juvenile detention (N=106) with those not in detention (N=106). Factors which increased the likelihood of being in detention include: (1) drinking alcohol and getting into fights; (2) being suspended from school; and (3) breaking into property. Mother's time spent with the…

Presents a detailed overview of the Family Empowerment Intervention (FEI), a system-oriented intervention delivered in-home by well-trained nontherapists. A clinical trial of FEI targeted arrested youths and their families. Topics covered included: theoretical foundations and goals of FEI, structural intervention strategies, and phases of the…

Reviews types of reported problems among African American youth exposed to violence and victimization. A substantial number of African American youth reported being exposed to direct victimization while in transit to and from school. Discusses the impact of violence on mental health status, in that subjects exposed to violence exhibited…

Recidivism of first-time offenders sentenced to a "boot camp" program is compared to traditional prison sentences and probation; Variables such as age, race, and type of offense are included in cross-tabulations and multivariate analysis. A survey of 83 participants studied attitudes toward the experience. Discussion of findings points…

Reports results of a study of the long term impact of a Family Empowerment Intervention (FEI) on the psychosocial functioning among youths processed at Hillsborough County Juvenile Assessment Center who entered the project between September 1994 and January 1998. Results provide support for the sustained effect of FEI services. (BF)

Interdisciplinary and social-developmental approaches for prevention of juvenile violence are explored. Twenty-one recent works are reviewed and their approaches compared. At issue are early identification of juvenile delinquents who go on to careers of serious violence, and interdisciplinary application of modern scientific knowledge to the…

The Miami-Dade Juvenile Assessment Center National Demonstration Project (NDP) is serving as a national model for the transformation of front end services in the juvenile justice system in a unique sociocultural setting.We discuss the background and vision of the NDP, its implementation and accomplishments in six major program areas: (1)…