THE CALIFORNIA YOUTH AUTHORITY PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT PROGRAM—Its Historical Significance and Philosophy

摘要

Three psychiatric treatment units for dealing with emotionally disturbed teen-age delinquents who become wards of the California Youth Authority are operating on a pilot basis in three of the Authority's corrective schools.It is recognized that treatment is far more than psychotherapy; the solicitude, encouragement, understanding and sympathy that a disturbed teen-ager receives from the people who make up his custodial surroundings are a part of it. An aim of the treatment units is to relieve these young people of disruptive, destructive emotions.A most important aspect is the integration of treatment with custody, which requires—and is getting—the cooperation of the administrative staffs.Although the cost of the program is relatively high, it can result in a considerable net saving to taxpayers. Helping to make an orderly, productive citizen of a disturbed youth can usually prevent years of costly custodial care.