Dissent of Steven A. Drizin From the Illinois Legislative Committee on Juvenile Justice's Report to the General Assembly and the Governor

• NCJ Number: 162234
• Author(s): S A Drizin
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 27 pages
• Corporate Author: Northwestern University
• Sale Source: Northwestern University
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This document analyzes the recommendations of the committee appointed by the Illinois legislature in 1994 to recommend juvenile justice reforms, supports some of the recommendations, and offers alternatives to others based on the argument that they do not rest on sound data and social science research rather than anecdotes and aberrations.

Abstract

The analysis emphasizes that the effort to demonstrate tough policies toward juvenile should not overlook the best information available and should also recognize that past efforts to become tougher on juveniles have failed and experiment with newer and more creative solutions. The committee's most promising recommendation is the pilot program for early intervention in the lives of young people beginning to become involved in delinquency. The recognition that juvenile offenders are best served in their communities and the recommendation for a continuum of community-based services are also welcome. However, the committee failed to make any significant recommendations regarding the small but increasing number of serious and violent juvenile offenders. Some of the committee's other findings and recommendations are also questionable. The committee's failure to provide a blueprint of a working and effective juvenile justice system will probably have long-term negative consequences for Illinois children.