[1] Programs in the United States have been controversial due to widespread allegations of abuse and trauma imposed on the adolescents who are enrolled, as well as deceptive marketing practices aimed at parents.
[10] Several studies have found that gains made in residential treatment programs are maintained from 1–5 years post discharge.
[11] Therapeutic boarding schools are boarding schools based on the therapeutic community model that offers an educational program together with specialized structure and supervision for students with emotional and behavioral problems, substance abuse problems, or learning difficulties.
[12][13] The goal was to redesign the behavioral architecture around delinquent teens to lessen chances of recidivism[14] and improve academics.
[15] Harold Cohen and James Filipczak (1971) published a book hailing the successes of such programs in doubling learning rates and reducing recidivism.
[18] Other studies found that in proper supervision of staff in behavior modification facilities could lead to greater use of punishment procedures.
[19] Under the leadership of Montrose Wolf, Achievement place, the first Teaching Family Home became the prototype for behavioral programs.
Outcome studies have found that Achievement place and other teaching family homes reduce recidivism and increase pro-social behavior, as well as self-esteem.
[23] Gradually, behavior modification /applied behavior analysis within the penal system including residential facilities for delinquent youth lost popularity in the 1970s-1980s due to a large number of abuses (see Cautilli & Weinberg (2007) [24]), but recent trends in the increase in U.S. crime and recent focus on reduction of recidivism have given such programs a second look [3].
[28] Rutherford's (2009) review from interviews and archival materials documents the decline from treatment of behavior analysis with criminal justice populations.
[29] Programs such as teaching family homes based on the Teaching-Family Model have been researched by industry funded organizations and show positive gains.
In general, behavior modification programs, including military style boot camps that follow modern curriculum, that are used in facilities or in the natural environment have a large effect size and lead to an estimated 15 to 40% reduction in recidivism.
[33][dead link] From late 2007 through 2008, a broad coalition of grass roots efforts, prominent medical and psychological organizations that including members of Alliance for the Safe, Therapeutic and Appropriate use of Residential Treatment (ASTART) and the Community Alliance for the Ethical Treatment of Youth (CAFETY), provided testimony and support that led to the creation of the Stop Child Abuse in Residential Programs for Teens Act of 2008 by the United States Congress Committee on Education and Labor.
Often these types of restrictive issues are discussed as part of ethical and legal standards (see Professional practice of behavior analysis).