Evaluating the Reform of Youth Correction in Massachusetts

The Center for Criminal Justice at the Harvard Law School is in the fifth year of a seven-year project to study the reforms undertaken by the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services to close training schools and substitute a diversified network of community-based correctional ser vices for youth. The following account outlines the research design of the project and presents preliminary findings to date. The Department is still consolidating its new system of public and privately purchased services. However, current indications based on six months of community expo sure following treatment reveal a significant decline in court appear ances and a greater positive response of youth to the new programs.