University of Virginia Library

Positive Reinforcement For Predelinquents

By JESSICA SMITH

On the corner of East
Jefferson and High Streets
downtown stands a condemned
red-brick, two story house
surrounded by a large yard.
Inside, it is neat, but shabby.
The furniture is a sparse
collection of unrelated pieces
in a random arrangement. A
living room, small dining room,
and kitchen are on the right as
one enters the front door; an
office and stairway stand
opposite.

The inhabitants of this
modest dwelling are boys
between the ages of eight and
eighteen, some black, some
white. They come from
families economically ranged
from welfare recipients to
upper middle class. Some of
the boys have been convicted of
misdemeanors like petty theft
and forgery. Others are the
victims of child abuse which
precipitated truancy,
malnutrition, and running
away. They are classified by
the juvenile court as
"predelinquent."

What is the relationship
between the house and its
small population of
predelinquent boys? The boys
and a dog named Miso live
under its roof with their house
parents, a young couple named
Ingrid and James Meredith.

The idea is novel. "Attention
Home" (the official name)
houses up to seven
predelinquent boys who the
state authorities deem as in
need of strict supervision yet
likely to be correctable.

The concept of "Attention
Home" originated in Boulder,
Colorado over four years ago.
Its success in rehabilitating
boys was so astounding that a
group of citizens concerned
about the city's delinquency
problem organized the home
here. The citizens elected a
board to control the legal and
financial complications and
employed the Merediths to
supervise the activities and
disciplinary problems of the
boys.

That has proved to be no
easy task. However, the
Merediths have it well under
control. All privileges, such as
going to the movies, playing
basketball, and listening to the
radio, must be purchase. The
tender is points. Points are
earned by successfully
completing household chores.
Washing dishes, mopping
floors, and raking leaves are
examples.

This may sound easy, but
points can also be taken away
by disobedience. Returning
late or leaving without
permission are two main causes
from which the boys lose

points. Another is public
profanity.

Mr. Meredith explained,
"The point system is so
constructed that future action
gets results. They feel
responsible. It is a good lesson
for any kid."

Discipline for personal
quarrels is not a problem. "We
don't let them fight. It is just
not allowed," assured Mr.
Meredith.

A perpetual undertone of
trivial conversation, frequent
laughter, and one if the
younger boys knocking over a
chair as he wrestles with Miso
suggests the prevalent
atmosphere: contentment. No
one is forced to live here.
Although all were appointed
by the court, they would
rather be here than at any of
their alternatives, such as being
assigned temporary foster
parents or being returned to
their natural homes, often to
face beating and abuse.

"The house is a place for
kids who treat it and use it as a
privilege. It is a better
alternative than home.
However, if they don't like it,
they can take it to their
probation officer and get out,"
said Mr. Meredith.

The minimum or maximum
length of time the boys live at
"Attention" depends on each
individual case. Usually they
stay about three months.

The present inhabitants of
the house all attend local
schools. After the shuffling
they have been subjected to,
many encounter academic
difficulties. Two women, a
speech therapist with Pupil
Personnel and a first grade
teacher at Burnly Moran,
volunteer their services twice a
week to tutor the boys as
problems arise. The Merediths
appreciate the help, but also
express a need for more
services of this type.

The house parents encourage
the older boys to work after
school. Those too young to
work earn a daily allowance of
twenty cents by getting to bed
on time, keeping their room
clean, and taking a daily bath.
The financial reward provides
an incentive to learn proper
personal grooming, something
their previous homes may have
neglected.

The community responds to
"Attention Home"
optimistically. The courts rely
heavily on the services
provided and future plans
include the establishment of a
girls "Attention Home" as
soon as funds become
available. Local concerns
support the house in spirit, but
rarely offer concrete help

As an innovation to
introduce the boys to
international culture, the
Merediths try to serve an inter
national dinner, such as Italian
pizza or Hebrew food, once
every two weeks (restaurants
specializing in foreign foods
could aid their endeavors by
donating meals periodically).
The house is privately
endowed, receiving no money
from the state, thus
necessitating operation on a
small budget.

As the sole adults in the
house, the Merediths have
assumed an enormous
responsibility, and they are
beginning to feel the strain. Mr.
Meredith is a full time student
at the University and must
divide his time between school
and the house, Mrs. Meredith
works full time at "Attention."
They receive only $300 a
month plus room and board
for twenty-four hours of work
seven days a week.

"I still like the job and
working with kids. I don't feel
I can do much good when I am
so tired all the time," Mr.
Meredith said in a discouraged
tone.

They don't want to give up
unless absolutely necessary. An
alternative measure proposed
to the board suggests hiring
another couple to alternate
weeks, with the Merediths ,
thus allowing the house parents
a little time for their own lives.
However, the board is still
searching for another couple.

Adolescent boys and run
down houses usually jive, but
in the case of "Attention
Home" it is not the average
combination of boys nor the
average house.