Recidivism of Probationers in a Public Agency A Study of Environmental Factors, in the Relapse of Twenty Boys Now on Probation at Brooklyn Domestic Relations Court 1957

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of environmental factors on the relapse of twenty probationers currently on probation at the Brooklyn Domestic Relations Court, Children\u27s Division. This chapter will serve to acquaint the reader with the problems presented and involved in this study as well as to show the means by which this investigation will be carried out. Background of the Study. Fifty years ago there began a reversal of previous attitudes toward punishment. In the past, an attempt had always been made to forbid criminal acts of the citizenry by meting out punishment for such acts in a way that was measured to the crime. It was felt that in this way crime could be reduced because of the deterrent effect of punishment. Just prior to the turn of the century, this attitude was modified in relation to children in that the concept of rehabilitation took precedence over that of punishment. This new thinking came about because society held its younger generation in high esteem and also felt that because of his immaturity the young offender is not fully responsible for his acts and therefore should not be treated as is the adult offender