NCJ Number
44932
Date Published
1976
Length
0 pages
Annotation
A SERIES OF INTERVIEWS OF YOUNG OFFENDERS, POLICE, AND PROSECUTORS PROVIDES INFORMATION ON THE PROBLEMS FACING YOUTH ON THE STREETS AND ON PROBATION.
Abstract
A YOUNG DELINQUENT WITH SEVERAL CONVICTIONS WAS RELATING HIS OWN THEORY OF DELINQUENCY TO THE AUDIENCE. HE BELIEVED THAT THE YOUTHS DO NOT HAVE ANYWHERE ELSE TO GO, OR ANYTHING ELSE TO DO. THEY WANT TO DO SOMETHING CONSTRUCTIVE, BUT THEIR ATTEMPTS OFTEN TURN OUT THE WRONG WAY; THEY STEAL FOR THE FUN OF IT OR DAMAGE PROPERTY JUST TO HAVE SOMETHING TO DO. THE DELINQUENT SUGGESTED THAT COMMUNITY PROGRAMS BE SET UP TO GIVE YOUTHS A WAY TO SPEND THEIR TIME CONSTRUCTIVELY. OTHER SUGGESTIONS INCLUDED CHANGING THE CURFEW LAWS, PUTTING AN END TO POLICE HARASSMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE ON THE STREET, AND STOPPING ROUGH HANDLING IN THE POLICE DETENTION ROOMS. HOWEVER, THE POLICE CLAIM THAT COMMUNITY RELATIONS TEAMS EXIST TO ANSWER THE COMPLAINTS OF BRUTALITY; THESE SHOULD REDUCE OR STOP THE INCIDENCE OF POLICE BRUTALITY, BUT THEY HAVE NOT. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE BRUTALITY, HARASSMENT, AND FALSE ARREST WHICH CHARACTERIZE MANY POLICE DEPARTMENTS MAKE YOUTH LOSE THEIR RESPECT FOR THE LAW. A PROSECUTOR RECOMMENDED THAT POLICE RECEIVE BETTER TRAINING FOR HANDLING YOUNG PEOPLE. HE ALSO SAID THAT MANY TIMES, POLICE FEEL THAT IT IS THEIR DUTY TO GO OUT AND ARREST SOMEONE WHO COMMITTED A CRIME SIMPLY BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE PAID TO DO. (BAC)