Fear is the key: keeping the balance between flexibility and control in a Dutch youth prison van der Helm, G.H.P.; Boekee, I.; Stams, G.J.J.M.; van der Laan, P.H. Published in:Journal of Children's Services DOI:10.1108/17466661111190947 Link to publicationCitation for published version (APA): van der Helm, P., Boekee, I., Stams, G. J., & van der Laan, P. (2011). Fear is the key: keeping the balance between flexibility and control in a Dutch youth prison. Journal of Children's Services, 6(4), 248-263. DOI: 10.1108/17466661111190947 General rightsIt is not permitted to download or to forward/distribute the text or part of it without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), other than for strictly personal, individual use, unless the work is under an open content license (like Creative Commons). Disclaimer/Complaints regulationsIf you believe that digital publication of certain material infringes any of your rights or (privacy) interests, please let the Library know, stating your reasons. In case of a legitimate complaint, the Library will make the material inaccessible and/or remove it from the website. Please Ask the Library: http://uba.uva.nl/en/contact, or a letter to: Library of the University of Amsterdam, Secretariat, Singel 425, 1012 WP Amsterdam, The Netherlands. You will be contacted as soon as possible. Group climate and workers' attitudes in youth prison 2 2 AbstractThe present study examined the professional attitude of group workers in a Dutch youth prison and their perceptions of the organizational culture and leadership by line and staff management. To be able to attain therapeutic goals, group workers must maintain a balance between therapeutic flexibility and control. It was found that the interactions between group workers and prisoners created fear, suspicion and violence, and that staff varied in their behavioural responses to perceived unsafety. 'Transformational' (inspiring) leadership by line and staff management was associated with less fear and more flexibility and structure, which seems needed to create a rehabilitative group climate. The findings of this study can be used for the improvement of treatment of juvenile delinquents who reside in secure correctional facilities.