DEALING WITH VIOLENT OFFENDERS - THE CHILDREN'S PANEL

• NCJ Number: 68123
• Journal: SASD BULLETIN Issue: 6 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1980) Pages: 28-34
• Author(s): J CREEGAN
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom
• Note: PAPER PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF DELINQUENCY NOVEMBER 9-11, 1979, AT PEEBLES (SCOTLAND)

Annotation

IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE A BALANCE BETWEEN THE BEST INTERESTS OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS AND THE INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY, THIS SPEECH EMPHASIZES THE COMPLEXITIES OF PROVIDING CARE AND CONTROL THAT WILL MODIFY BEHAVIOR PATTERNS.

Abstract

THREE ISSUES IN DEALING WITH VIOLENT JUVENILE OFFENDERS ARE CONSIDERED: (1) THE EXTREME CASE OF THE YOUTHFUL VIOLENT OFFENDER, (2) THE POTENTIALLY VIOLENT OFFENDER AND METHODS OF DEALING WITH HIM AT AN EARLY AGE, (3) THE COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION TO DEALING WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF SOME FORM OF CONTROL INTO THEIR LIVES; SUCH MEASURES OF CONTROL AS INSTITUTIONALIZATION SHOULD WORK WITH THE NATURAL PROCESS OF GROWING UP. IN SOME CASES EXTERNAL CONTROLS ARE NECESSARY BECAUSE SELF-CONTROL IS LACKING. POTENTIALLY VIOLENT OFFENDERS OFTEN LACK PROPER FAMILY CARE; THE COMMUNITY RESOURCES (E.G., ACTIVITIES CENTERS) AND SUPERVISION BY CARING ADULTS CAN HELP MEET THEIR NEEDS. HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY ARE ALSO OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE MANNER OF DEALING WITH THE VIOLENT OFFENDER DOES NOT DEPEND ON THE LEVEL OF CONTROL OR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL WORK BUT ON THE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE YOUNG AND SOME ADULTS WHO HAVE SOMETHING TO GIVE. (MFE)