History of Forensic Social Work in the U.S.

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Questions and Answers

Which event directly preceded the Mexican-American War?

The formation of the National Conference of Charities and Corrections

The U.S. Civil War

The perfection of internal combustion engines

The annexation of portions of Mexico as Texas (correct)

The Elmira Reformatory in New York is most notable for which of the following milestones?

Forming the American Association of Social Workers

Developing early police social work programs

Establishing the first juvenile court in the U.S.

Releasing the first parolee in history (correct)

What was a significant outcome of the 1929 U.S. stock market crash?

The establishment of the first social work training school

The appointment of Eleanor Roosevelt to a presidential commission

The onset of the Great Depression (correct)

The rise of police social workers

What was the primary focus of U.S. policy regarding women in the 1950s?

Supporting women's return to domestic roles Signup and view all the answers

Which entity documented discrimination in the workplace in 1963?

President Kennedy's Commission on the Status of Women Signup and view all the answers

What best describes the shift in Federal social policies during the 1960s?

An emphasis on social responsibility and deinstitutionalization Signup and view all the answers

The opening of the first shelter for female victims of battering occurred in what U.S. state?

Arizona Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of forensic social workers?

They advocate for social, political, and economic change Signup and view all the answers

What is a key significance of the English Poor Laws of 1601 in the context of forensic social work history?

They represent a codification of societal responses to distress, emphasizing a government role. Signup and view all the answers

According to the options, how were individuals in poverty categorized under the English Poor Laws of 1601?

Deserving, undeserving, and children. Signup and view all the answers

What was a primary reason early English colonists were hesitant to rely on government for maintaining law and order?

Their past experiences under a monarch led them to seek community-based solutions. Signup and view all the answers

What was the typical consequence for criminals who were caught by colonists during this time?

Corporal punishment administered swiftly. Signup and view all the answers

How did early English colonists handle the impoverished within their settlements?

By categorizing them and allocating them to either almshouses or workhouses. Signup and view all the answers

What does the description of early police forces in colonial settlements, composed of men patrolling streets, suggest about their approach to law enforcement?

An informal system emphasizing individual responsibility and community vigilance. Signup and view all the answers

According to the information, what was an attitude towards victims of crime during the colonial era?

Concepts of victim support and advocacy were largely absent. Signup and view all the answers

What does the content suggest about the historical progression from the English Poor Laws to forensic social work?

The laws represent an early form of merging law and social policy, thereby influencing social work. Signup and view all the answers

Which institution was established as a direct result of advocacy by residents of Hull House?

The Juvenile Psychopathic Institute Signup and view all the answers

By what year had the majority of U.S. states established juvenile courts?

1925 Signup and view all the answers

Prior to juvenile justice reforms, what was the main focus of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children based upon?

Animal welfare Signup and view all the answers

Mary Richmond advocated for which approach in social work?

Private social work practice Signup and view all the answers

What was Jane Addams' viewpoint on how children should be perceived in policy?

As developmentally different individuals needing guidance Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the key changes afforded to children within the juvenile justice system?

Confidentiality of court records Signup and view all the answers

Which concept saw a renewed commitment during the time juvenile courts were being formed?

Rehabilitation Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose behind renaming prisons to 'penitentiaries'?

To emphasize repentance and reform Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary conclusion of Robert Martinson's initial publication, 'What Works?' regarding rehabilitation programs?

There is little to no evidence suggesting that rehabilitation programs are successful. Signup and view all the answers

How did the full publication of the 'What Works?' study, co-authored by Lipton and Wilks, differ from Martinson's initial conclusions?

It suggested that rehabilitation programs were only successful in very specific circumstances with particular individuals. Signup and view all the answers

Following Martinson's initial publication, what was a major shift in the focus of collaborative forensic social work?

A shift towards community-based victim/witness assistance programs. Signup and view all the answers

Within community-based victim/witness assistance programs, approximately what percentage of staff are social workers?

One-Third Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the federal RESTTA initiative, funded in the mid-1980s?

To provide resources for accountability of juvenile offenders through various means. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a method of accountability promoted by the RESTTA initiative?

Long term incarceration Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of "tough love" projects like boot camps, aimed at high-risk young offenders?

A focus on early intervention and accountability. Signup and view all the answers

What major event significantly changed forensic policy and social worker roles, as mentioned in the text?

The events of September 11, 2001. Signup and view all the answers

The concept of early release from prison as a reward for good behavior was introduced in response to which concern?

The lack of incentive for prisoners to participate in rehabilitative programs under fixed sentences. Signup and view all the answers

What was John Augustus' primary contribution to social reform in the early 1840's?

Pioneering the practice of interviewing individuals awaiting incarceration, posting bail, and overseeing their reform. Signup and view all the answers

The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act was passed in which year?

1974 Signup and view all the answers

Before becoming known as correctional institutions, prisons were often indistinguishable from which type of facilities?

Almshouses and workhouses. Signup and view all the answers

What event is associated with a shift in US society towards a 'get tough on crime' approach?

The terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001. Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining characteristic of the 19th-century approach to legal and correctional policies?

A vigorous application of new legal and correctional policies. Signup and view all the answers

Which act resulted in the creation of new executive branch powers related to certain crimes?

The Patriot Act Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of social work after the establishment of the American Association of Social Workers in 1921?

Direct casework with individuals, especially those in penitentiaries. Signup and view all the answers

By 1920, approximately what fraction of states had implemented some form of probation?

Two thirds Signup and view all the answers

What significant event caused a shift in social work's focus towards social change and policy revisions?

The start of the Great Depression in 1929. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes an influence that social workers had on New Deal programs?

They provided expertise that resulted in Social Security design and establishment. Signup and view all the answers

What role did Frances Perkins play in social reform as a former social worker?

She was instrumental in creating reforms such as workers' safety regulations and Social Security. Signup and view all the answers

What was a key feature of the Works Projects Administration overseen by Harry Hopkins?

Its initiatives were focused on youth and delinquency prevention. Signup and view all the answers

When were police social workers common, and what was a key function of these roles?

They were common in the early 1920s, belonging to Women’s Bureaus and providing social work advocacy. Signup and view all the answers

Why did police social worker positions decline after the Great Depression, and when did they return to prominence?

They declined because of funding cuts and returned in the 1940s due to expanding youth gangs. Signup and view all the answers

What led to many child guidance clinics opening in the 1940s that employed social workers?

An increase in youth gang activity. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Social workers respond to individuals within the criminal justice system, working to change both the system and laws.
Forensic social work is as old as social work itself, encompassing diverse roles such as advocating for accused individuals, supporting victims, working with juvenile justice systems, and testifying in court.
It involves improving or changing U.S. justice systems' processes and policies.
Social work centers around social justice and human rights, offering support to those vulnerable groups and advocating for empowerment in families and communities.

The Colonial Era

English Poor Laws (1601) represented a merging of law and social policy, creating government-led responses to those in poverty.
These laws categorized individuals as deserving, undeserving, or children.
English colonists were influenced by these laws, creating responses involving almshouses and workhouses to manage poverty.
Early colonial responses to crime focused on swift, corporal punishment, lacking rehabilitation or victim support.
Jails served as holding centers, lacking rehabilitation emphasis.

The 1800s

The 19th century saw increased questioning of criminal justice philosophies and questioned their effectiveness.
The concept of early release, based on good behavior, was created—parole.
John Augustus, a wealthy Bostonian, pioneered social reform and influenced probation practices.
Probation practice spread through the United States, extending the concept of rehabilitation through discipline and programs within prisons, offering early release or preventing future incarceration.
These early practices foreshadowed those used in modern forensic social work, considering human capacity for change.

The National Conference of Charities and Corrections (later the National Association of Social Workers) was formed in 1879 to address social issues.
Social work developed as a profession, with increasing focus on social reform, particularly regarding children and law/justice issues.
Key figures like Mary Richmond and Jane Addams championed social reform and influenced policy affecting the poor.
Early juvenile courts were developed, distinguishing children's cases from those of adults and addressing the needs of abused and neglected youth.
Juvenile justice reforms aimed at avoiding harsh juvenile prison terms as well as recognizing youth’s special needs.

Collaborative Reforms in Adult Courts

The advent of parole and juvenile courts in the late 1800s and early 1900s contributed to renewed commitment to individual rehabilitation.
The criminal justice system increasingly adopted a focus on reform in response to social needs and concerns.
Forensic social workers developed expertise in systems and became involved in correctional treatment programs, pretrial, diversion programs and youth service bureaus.

Social workers testified in front of congressional committees to advocate for reform in policy and create regulations on worker safety.
The New Deal programs were heavily influenced by social work expertise, especially under Frances Perkins (involving safe work conditions and social security).
Programs for youth and delinquency-prevention emerged, expanding the role of forensic social workers in government agencies.

The 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S. greatly impacted local, state, and federal legal/justice systems and policy.
New laws, including the Patriot Act, influenced how government interacted with accused individuals and influenced the role of forensic social work.

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Description

Explore the evolution of forensic social work in the United States, examining the role of social workers in the criminal justice system. This quiz delves into historical events, laws, and the influence of social policy on the support and advocacy for vulnerable populations, particularly during the Colonial era. Understand how these practices continue to shape justice and social reform today.