As a result of the prevailing empirical emphasis of criminological research, there is a paucity of research on the historical development of the criminal justice system. This is unfortunate for a more thorough understanding of the historical development of various components of the criminal justice system would enable criminologists and administrators to more fully appreciate the problems confronting contemporary agencies of social control. / This study addresses this problem by providing a case study of the development, operation, and impact of the New York House of Refuge from 1857 until 1935. The alleged theory of the New York House of Refuge, as specified by administrators and other supporters of the institution, is outlined by examining the institution's annual reports, the daily journals of the superintendent and matron, case histories, reports of various committees, and other data sources in the voluminous collection. Rationalizations for the programs of contract labor, classification, religion, education, discipline, indenture, and later industrial education, military drill, and parole are outlined. / The alleged theory of the New York House of Refuge is contrasted with its actual practice by examining the reports of a number of investigative committees, the reports of former inmates and disgruntled employees, articles appearing in newspapers, and the commentaries of visitors to the institution. The scope of the study is expanded by drawing parallels between the stated theory and actual practice of the New York institution with the rhetoric and reality of other reformatories across the country. / Overall, the findings indicate that the stated purpose concerning the development, operation, and impact of the New York House of Refuge was not consistent with its actual practice. The programs of contract labor, classification, religion, education, discipline, indenture, industrial education, military drill, and parole generally did not fulfill their objectives, and the impact of the institution on the children was not as benevolent as the administrators alleged. Moreover, an examination of the practice of other reformatories suggests that they too failed in their child-saving mission. An explanation of the study's findings is focused upon the general organizational characteristics of the institution and the relationship of the refuge to the broader social structure. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 41-01, Section: A, page: 0413. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1979.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_74032 |
| Contributors | PISCIOTTA, ALEXANDER WILLIAM., The Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 302 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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