NCJ Number
78413
Date Published
1980
Length
78 pages
Annotation
The purpose of this study is to compare the delinquency-prevention power of the Youth Service Bureau (YSB) in Palm Beach County, Fla., with two other methods of community reaction to status offenses: juvenile court processing and placement in a community residential program, Sabal Palm Youth Service Center (YSC).
Abstract
From the files of the Palm Beach County Juvenile Court, a sample of 75 juveniles was drawn having the following characteristics: (1) first offender, with no prior petitions for delinquency or status offenses; (2) charged on a petition of status offenses in 1976, 1977, and 1978; and (3) under age 16 at date of initial petition for status offenses. A matched sample of status offenders was drawn from the Palm Beach YSB, a county government agency independent of the justice system. YSB clients were predominantly status offenders but also represented other problems, including delinquency and emotional problems. A third sample was drawn from the Sabal Palm YSC, another county government institution serving primarily status offenders. An attempt was made to match all three groups on the variables of race, sex, age, and time at risk. Overall, the YSB group had the least subsequent delinquency (21 percent), the Sabal Palm YSC the most (47 percent), and the juvenile court group ranking in between (37 percent). Differences between the juvenile court and YSC groups were not statistically significant; differences between the YSB and the other two groups were significant. The findings lend support to both labeling and deterrence perspectives, as well as other explanations. Because modes of treatment for status offenders can affect future delinquency rates, more sophisticated research is needed. Independent YSB's are recommended as they are more likely to reduce subsequent crime among status offenders than are juvenile courts or institutionalization. Data tables and over 80 references are supplied. (Author abstract modified)