Delinquency Prevention: Individual Control or Social Development? (From Preventing Juvenile Crime Conference Proceedings No. 9, 1991, P 1-7, Julia Vernon, Sandra McKillop, eds. -- See NCJ-135877)

• NCJ Number: 135878
• Author(s): R Semmens
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 7 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

The argument is presented that delinquency prevention depends on solving social problems within a society and therefore the individual control approach needs to be interlinked with social development strategies for preventive intervention.

Abstract

Present delinquency prevention programs are focused on the participant and skills training as provided through activities such as employment programs, social relationships, and leisure pursuits. The former primary levels divert youth from delinquency, whereas secondary prevention programs prevent offenders from repeating antisocial behavior. However, while an individual is held responsible for his or her behavior, membership in the major institutions and community life are a group responsibility, and existing programs need to incorporate this perspective. Examples of primary and secondary prevention strategies are then reviewed at key social institutions such as family, peers, school, work, and community organizations. Elimination of poverty and the creation of a full employment economy entails structural change and may be expensive, but this consideration balances against the cost of running individual control programs with limited success. 3 tables and 12 references