Author Description

In 1998, researchers were requested to undertake an evaluation of a proposed new behavior program at the Melbourne Juvenile Justice Centre. The behavior management program at the Centre attempts to intervene constructively in the lives of young offenders. The project aims to increase the range of skills for management of clients' behaviors in a fair, respectful, and rewarding environment; encourage clients to become accountable for their actions; change client relationships to authority; and maximize young people's abilities to transfer positive learning to the community. The hypothesis is that increased capacity for reflection will facilitate the taking of greater responsibility for thoughts, feelings, decisions, and actions. The evaluation focused on identifying the expectations that clients, staff, and management had for the project; assessing the impact the project had on clients, staff, management, and the environment in the units; and formulating recommendations. Evaluation of the pilot project indicates that participants generally did change in the direction of the hypothesis, and that further work needs to be done to consolidate the changes in management style and to ensure that changes in participants continue into the community. (JDM)