Criminology Research Council grant ; (11/76)
Four Flats Hawthorn is a non-government organisation which aims to assist young men released from youth training centres and prisons in Victoria by operating a hostel-based program. It was established on the initiative of a Jesuit priest, Father Peter Norden.
The evaluation essentially consisted of a detailed description of the program in operation with a comparison being made between 53 young men who were residents in the hostel and 37 controls who had similar characteristics. A follow-up 12 months after release compared these two groups in terms of recidivism, ability to cope and self-esteem.
The Four Flats residents were generally distinguished from others discharged from institutions by having very poor family relationships, a low level of education, a poor work history, immaturity and a record of breaking and entering offences. The program focussed upon young men who were especially vulnerable.
The evaluation showed that there was some reduction in recidivism, but the exact nature of this reduction is unclear. It is possible that the apparent difference between the Four Flats residents and the control group may vanish with the passing of more time. In other works, the program may have delayed rather than reduced recidivism. However, even this is of value to both the victim and to the wider society.
There was also evidence, based on the qualitative judgments made by two evaluation interviewers and program staff, that the ability of the young men to live independently was enhanced. Many had had little or no experience of independent living prior to residence in the hostel but were able to move into independence relatively smoothly.
This research also showed that the hostel program resulted in a reduction of human indignity and suffering. The young men at Four Flats were treated with dignity and compassion and had the experience of relatively enjoyable lifestyles. On the basis of this collective evidence the evaluators reached the conclusion that the program was a success to a degree greater than might have been expected.
The research report concludes with a proposal for the replication and extension of this type of program and evaluation.