Operation New Hope
Problems addressed
Recidivism
Drug abuse
Low social–emotional competences
Socioeconomic vulnerability
Effectiveness

Promising

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Promising

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Life periods served
Teenagers (14 to 17 years)
Where the program was applied
Community (streets or community centers)
Country of application
United States
Description

This is a treatment program for high-risk adolescents released from the prison system that helps them in the process of reintegrating into the community.
The treatment is carried out in 39 hours, distributed across 13 sessions with weekly and consecutive meetings, in which the following topics are addressed:
1) Introduction to the program;
2) Learning about your emotions; lack of control and denial;
3) Knowing the problems you face and the possibility of solving them;
4) Perceptions; expectations, reality, love, family dynamics;
5) Chemical dependency;
6) Ongoing practice.
The first half of each session consists of expository training, while the second half is used for group discussion.

Impact evaluations

An impact evaluation showed that program participants had improvements in social behavior and were more likely to obtain a job and more success in the probation process, but less likely to be arrested or abuse drugs, compared to the control group. The study used a quasi-experimental design with 115 adolescent probationers [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Josi, D. A. & Sechrest, D. K. (1999). A pragmatic approach to parole aftercare: Evaluation of a community reintegration program for high-risk youthful offenders. Justice Quarterly, 16(1), 51–80. https://doi.org/10.1080/07418829900094051

Information source