Options
Recidivism of youths under the guidance programme
Author
Tan, Geraldine Twang Ling
Supervisor
Liau, Albert
Abstract
The Ministry of Community Development and Sports funds the Guidance Programme, where youths who have committed prosecutable offences and are caught for the first time by the police are given the opportunity to self-correct. These juveniles and their parents were required to attend a series of counselling sessions and group activities at the centre for a period of 6 months. However, some of the youths recidivate on the programme despite having completed the six-month programme.
This study has three aims. Firstly, input factors like age, gender, race and the type of family, may be an influence in the recidivism of a juvenile during or after the 6-month Guidance Programme. Secondly, could help identify the process factors, including the participation of the youth on the programme, their performance during the programme, their parents' participation and social skills of the youth, which may have an impact on the recidivism rate. (These were obtained from the social workers or counsellors who had worked with them). Thirdly, to help social workers and counsellors, too, not only identify potential juveniles who may recidivate but also suggest interventions that could prevent recidivism (e.g. to equip the juvenile with appropriate social skills and to encourage active participation on the programme).
Data was obtained from a voluntary welfare organisation dealing with juvenile offenders under the Guidance Programme. There were altogether 80 juveniles during the period of one year. The input factors and process factors were obtained from the juveniles' personal file. Social workers and counsellors were also asked to complete the rating scale on the social skills of the juveniles. The rating scales were found to have high reliability in terms of internal consistency.
Results that were obtained found that the only significant input factor contributing to the recidivism of a juvenile was the type of family, which he comes from. However, family background can be compensated by the involvement of at least one parent in the youth's environment. Father's occupation was also found to be marginally significant, thus indicating that father's whose work required long hours and shift work, and hence leading to them having less time to spend with their children, could possibly lead to an increase in recidivism rates. Significant results were also found from the process factors, particularly the impact of whether the youth is equipped with social skills or not. Youths perceived as having fewer social skills had a higher chance of recidivism. Those who were active in the programme also showed a lower recidivism rate.
At the end of this paper, suggestions were made on what the social worker or counsellor could focus on in the Guidance Programme.
This study has three aims. Firstly, input factors like age, gender, race and the type of family, may be an influence in the recidivism of a juvenile during or after the 6-month Guidance Programme. Secondly, could help identify the process factors, including the participation of the youth on the programme, their performance during the programme, their parents' participation and social skills of the youth, which may have an impact on the recidivism rate. (These were obtained from the social workers or counsellors who had worked with them). Thirdly, to help social workers and counsellors, too, not only identify potential juveniles who may recidivate but also suggest interventions that could prevent recidivism (e.g. to equip the juvenile with appropriate social skills and to encourage active participation on the programme).
Data was obtained from a voluntary welfare organisation dealing with juvenile offenders under the Guidance Programme. There were altogether 80 juveniles during the period of one year. The input factors and process factors were obtained from the juveniles' personal file. Social workers and counsellors were also asked to complete the rating scale on the social skills of the juveniles. The rating scales were found to have high reliability in terms of internal consistency.
Results that were obtained found that the only significant input factor contributing to the recidivism of a juvenile was the type of family, which he comes from. However, family background can be compensated by the involvement of at least one parent in the youth's environment. Father's occupation was also found to be marginally significant, thus indicating that father's whose work required long hours and shift work, and hence leading to them having less time to spend with their children, could possibly lead to an increase in recidivism rates. Significant results were also found from the process factors, particularly the impact of whether the youth is equipped with social skills or not. Youths perceived as having fewer social skills had a higher chance of recidivism. Those who were active in the programme also showed a lower recidivism rate.
At the end of this paper, suggestions were made on what the social worker or counsellor could focus on in the Guidance Programme.
Date Issued
2003
Call Number
HV9203 Tan
Date Submitted
2003