NCJ Number
118476
Journal
Research Bulletin Issue: 24 Dated: Special Issue (1987) Pages: 47-52
Date Published
1987
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The decline in the West German prison population from 1983 to 1985 is, to some extent, contingent on the way in which criminal justice agencies deal with young adult offenders.
Abstract
Although the decrease in the number of juveniles and young adults tried under juvenile law committed to youth custody was approximately 18 percent from 1983 to 1985, the decrease in imprisonment for adults was less than 6 percent. This decrease in the imprisonment of juveniles and young adults was apparently due to the impact of an increasing number of court diversion projects, to the increasing tendency to try young adults under juvenile law, and to increasing doubts about the appropriateness and effectiveness of incarcerating young offenders. Since custody for adults has also declined over this period, however, judges' sentencing practices may also be a factor. Germany's processing of young adult offenders under juvenile law is based in the statutory principle that young offenders should be sentenced on the basis of their maturity rather than their physical age. 3 tables, 8 references.