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BGGKFAGC �� JUL 181979 INTERIM REPORT ON THE COt•MUNITY PROJECT (cont) Page Two the program is likely to grow to some extL:nt, it can be favorably compared to a recently released district wide rate. Figures from February of this year show that juveniles under Youth Services super- vision In Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Okeechobee, and Indian River counties have a 61% monthly rate of new law violations. With the average length of super- vision currently at 9.8 months, the ,general recidivism rate is 58.8% while under supervision. Less than 51. of the 1533 juveniles on supervision in this District are currently involved in any type of Work Program., s S. Of the 204 assignments made during the first 20 Saturdays, absences totalled 53. That absenteeism rate can be divided into tyro figures: 29.2% during the first ten weeks and 23.2% during the second ten weeks. On Mondays, the Youth Services Counselors having responsibility for the assigned boys, explore.the reasons for the absences. During the first ten weeks, 16 of the 28 absences were excused for various reasons such as illness or transpor- tation problems. During the second ten weeks, 15 of 25 absences were excused. Those youths having unexcused absences have consistently been assigned penalty hours on the Work Project. Currently two juveniles are awaiting Court action,:and possible commitment to a Youth Services facility, for their repeated absences. In reflecting on the original goals of the Community Mork Project, it should be noted that increased consequences for delinquent acts, service to the community, and a long term decrease in delinquent activity were the reasons for the ex- periment. It is too early to ascertain what deterrent effect this project may have, but the remaining two goals seem to have already been reached.