Adolescent Sex Offender and the Juvenile Justice System in Minnesota (From European and North-American Juvenile Justice System, P 259-281, 1986, Hans-Jurgen Kerner, et al, eds.)

• NCJ Number: 105825
• Author(s): J F Gilgun
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 33 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper describes the programs for juvenile sex offenders developed by the Minnesota juvenile justice system in response to an increase in the percentage of juveniles coming before the court charged with sex offenses.

Abstract

Minnesota's adolescent sex offender treatment programs emerged from a strong movement for sexuality education, particularly in the St. Paul and Minneapolis area. Compared to other States, Minnesota is advanced in its programming for juvenile sex offenders. The Hennepin County Home School has been taking referrals from out of State since 1983. The programs involve sex education, family treatment, and group treatment for the juvenile. Some issues still to be resolved are the development of community-based programs for uncooperative families and juveniles, the development of programs in all facilities where the courts might place juvenile sex offenders, and the development of methods for assessing the effectiveness of the programs. The programs must also adopt procedures for resolving differences of opinion among juvenile justice professionals regarding the lengthening of a juvenile's sentence to accommodate treatment requirements. The programs are an effort to both protect the public and provide fair and effective treatment for the juvenile sex offender. Although the programs are apparently off to an excellent start, it will take time to determine their effectiveness. 3 tables and 19 references.