AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF DELINQUENCY PREVENTION PROGRAMMES IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

This study is about delinquency prevention programmes implemented by social service agencies in Singapore. The two major concerns of this study are ( 1) the specific intervention methods adopted to work with predelinquents and delinquents and (2) case management as an effective delinquency prevention model. The focus of the case management model is the formulation of a client support network which integrates client skill development and involvement of both the client's informal and formal networks. This study is timely in view of the recent concern of crimes committed by teen gangs. A preliminary survey among social service agencies is carried out to identify existing delinquency prevention programmes. A self-administered questionnaire is mailed to relevant agencies. Two delinquency prevention programmes are identified for detailed study of its theoretical orientations and its intervention methods adopted to work with predelinquents and delinquents. The respective Programme Coordinators are interviewed in addition to making field observations of the programmes in action. As for the second concern of the study, both service users (predelinquents and delinquents) and service providers (social workers) are interviewed regarding their receptivity towards the case management model in delinquency prevention. A total of 25 youths and 5 social workers are interviewed. A questionnaire with mostly close-ended questions is constructed for the interviews with the youths. Interviews with social workers are less structured as only general questions are asked. Results of this study indicate that most social workers engage in direct intervention with these youths, utilising techniques such as casework and group work. Indirect intervention such as working with the youths' external systems in order to coordinate all these services provided to the youths, is not usually carried out systematically. The youths interviewed generally want their social workers to help in improving their relationship with their parents, peers, school teachers and the police, thus indicating the youths' receptivity to the social worker coordinating these services. Recommendations regarding how case management can be effective in the local setting are made towards the end of this study.