NCJ Number
88073
Journal
Kriminologisches Journal Volume: 14 Issue: 2 Dated: (1982) Pages: 137-158
Date Published
1982
Length
22 pages
Annotation
In response to a current legislative reform proposal to the West German juvenile justice codes, the Workgroup of Young Criminologists has formulated a resolution highlighted by the demand that institutionalization of anyone under age 18 be abolished.
Abstract
This article summarizes the group's rationale for its proposals, which are primarily based on empirical research. Other points in the resolution state that incarcerating a juvenile for educational reasons is futile and should not be practiced. Correctional programming for juveniles should be community-based and require the voluntary participation of the youth. Furthermore, juvenile detention should be prohibited, as should all other forms of juvenile arrest. Juvenile assistance services should be autonomous and not subject to restrictions by juvenile justice authorities. All community-based sentencing alternatives for juveniles should be organized in such a way that they do not extend criminal justice controls, represent the least repressive alternative in each case, recognize any deprivational circumstances in a juvenile's background, offer no therapy without the juvenile's willing participation, provide services within the clients' neighborhood, and consider juvenile justice intervention as a last resort. Tables, footnotes, and 46 references are given.