NCJ Number
13745
Journal
Juvenile Justice Volume: 24 Issue: 4 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1974) Pages: 24-29
Date Published
1974
Length
6 pages
Annotation
CRITIQUE OF COMPUTER USE IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, STRESSING DEPERSONALIZATION AND THE EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF INFORMATION GENERATED.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR ARGUES THAT THE LARGE AMOUNTS OF FAST PRODUCED INFORMATION HAVE A DISABLING EFFECT ON DECISION-MAKING. THE NEED TO ASSIMILATE LARGE VOLUMES OF INFORMATION IN JUDICIAL CASES IS SEEN AS A CONFUSING FACTOR WHICH SLOWS AND RIGIDIFIES RESPONSES. THE AUTHOR STATES THAT COMPUTERIZED DATA CANNOT REALLY ASSIST IN WEIGHING VALUE FACTORS, WHICH ARE AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE. ALSO, HE SEES COMPUTERS AS WORKING AGAINST THE PRIMARY GOAL OF INDIVIDUALIZATION IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM COMPUTER USE IS SEEN AS PROMOTING A MANAGERIAL VALUE SYSTEM, WHICH IS CONCERNED MORE WITH PRODUCTION AND EFFICIENCY GOALS THAN WITH THE JUVENILE OFFENDER AS AN INDIVIDUAL. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)