COUV ACTES - Psychologie communautaire

Community Psychology: Common Values, Diverse PracticesIn a survey in one of the municipalities, were youngsters were invited to fill in a questionnaire concerning theirexperience of Youth Service, there are some aspects they point out as important.Several persons have been positively surprised by the workplaces. The work became more interesting than theyhad expected.They were accepted at the workplaces, which they hadn’t really expected. One person states that: I was acceptedas a person and not looked upon as a person that had committed a crime.Some say that the pedagogical programs have given them information and insights. It has been a way for them tostart think and reflect over their life and personal situation and, not least, their future. One person express this as:I have learnt something new. That I must think and reflect before acting. I also started to think of my possibilitiesto get a job in the future.My key findings in this study is that Youth Service seems to be an accurate and well adjusted sanction for youngpeople that are low to moderately criminally charged. Youth Service seems to be a good enough sanction for theconvicted to rethink and not commit any new crimes.But for young people with more complex problems and those who have already entered a more extensivecriminal career, Youth Service is not sufficient. They need other, and more comprehensive initiatives.282