Research evidence now supports the prediction that juvenile delinquents fare significantly better in rehabilitative programs than in youth prisons or home confinement. This book constitutes a groundbreaking, how-to roadmap for developing and implementing an effective rehabilitative program for delinquent youth. Based on a landmark study on the treatment of juvenile delinquents, the book describes a multidisciplinary approach toward solving social problems and illustrates how an integrative model of family counseling can be applied in a residential setting. This program hones the most effective strategies into a single unified evolutionary approach to rehabilitation that will be useful to psychologists, social workers, counselors, and students working with juvenile delinquents.

The authors have culled information from sociology, psychology, criminology, and social justice to explain why juveniles commit crimes and have developed strategies toward rehabilitation that directly address the causes. Analyzing data that spans 31 years from a large study of youth offenders that incorporates information from multiple sources, they describe in detail how this model residential treatment and education program provides a viable alternative to youth prison. Chapters address the historical context for present-day treatment of juvenile delinquency and the main components of the program at Ocean Tides, including its underlying philosophy, detailed descriptions of effective interventions, practical strategies for interviewing and working with adolescent male juvenile delinquents, and training programs that can be used in other settings. The book also includes new and important data on the effects of family violence and includes descriptions of how outside consultants can be used to inform treatment and rehabilitation.

KEY FEATURES:

• Describes a proven, multidisciplinary approach to significantly reducing violent behavior among juveniles
• Based on a landmark study of an effective rehabilitative program
• Includes new and important data on the effects of family violence
• Guides professionals in replicating the success of the Ocean Tides program
• Provides readers with practical strategies for interviewing and working with adolescent male juvenile delinquents

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

1. Ocean Tides Rising: History

Juvenile Delinquency in the United States

The Founding of the Ocean Tides Program

Conclusions

2. Currents: Who the Boys Are

Intake Criteria

The Ocean Tides Data Project

Description of Ocean Tides Boys

Conclusions

3. Explaining the Ocean Tides: Theory

Agnew’s General Theory of Crime

Conclusions

4. An Undertow: Personal Child Abuse Victimization and Exposure to Parental Interpersonal Violence

Personal Child Abuse, Exposure to PIPV, and Violent Behavior

The Ocean Tides Study and Violence

Exposure to PIPV, Personal Child Abuse, and Violence

Conclusions

5. Charting a Course: The Program at Ocean Tides

Program Administration

Staff Development and Evaluation

Treatment Teams

Confidentiality

Program Oversight

Program Staffing

Group Living

Formal Education

Social Services and Counseling

Special Programs

Conclusions

6. Calming Seas: Managing the Ocean Tides Residents

Rehabilitating Youthful Offenders

Ocean Tides: A Unique and Model Program

Conclusions

7. Navigating the Waters: The Role of the Clinical Psychologist as a Consultant

Defining the Role of the Consultant

Philosophy of Consultation

Specific Functions of the Consultant

Conclusions

8. At the Helm: Interviewing Adolescent Male Juvenile Delinquents

Philosophy of Interviewing

The “Curiosity Model” of Interviewing

Key Issues in Interviewing Delinquents

Conclusions

9. Stem the Tide: Case Histories

Case 1: A Study in Contradictions

Case 2: A Premature Ending

Case 3: From a Chaotic Family to Heroism

Case 4: Turning His Life Around

Case 5: Struggle Leads to Success

Case 6: A Horatio Alger Story

Conclusions

10. Sailing Home: Final Thoughts

Agnew’s General Strain Theory and Causation

The Ocean Tides Effect

The Importance of Clinical Consultants

What Has Happened Since 2007?

Where Do We Go From Here? Implications for Public Policy

Appendix A: Additional Tables

Appendix B: Administrator Performance Evaluation Form: Ocean Tides, Inc.

Appendix C: Sample Reports

Index