Alternatives to Institutionalization

Abstract

In line with current developments in the youth correctional fieltl, the California Youth Authority has initiated two communi ty-based treatment programs for young offenders who would normally be institutionalized. These two programs—the Commu nity Treatment Project and the Community Delinquency Con trol Project—offer intensive supervision in the community, utilize multiple resources, and provide different types of treatment. The programs take place in community centers that house the parole operation and provide space for group counseling, school tutor ing, arts and crafts, and recreation. The principal difference between them is that the Community Treatment Project systema tically employs a "maturity-level typology" and matches types of wards with agents having particular skills, while the Community Delinquency Control Project usually does neither.