An empirical analysis of the ideological barrier in community corrections

This article examines the ideological perspectives of individuals involved with the administration of community correctional programs for juveniles. The primary purpose of the research is to assess the degree to which staff members in these programs embrace the innovative theoretical and operational concepts of community corrections. In general, the data indicates a tendency to cling to traditional, individualistic approaches to delinquency prevention. Newer concepts regarding the social aspects of delinquency and the need for systems level change were not found to be instrumental. Proposals are drawn from the study with respect to overcoming the ideological barrier in community corrections.