History of Juvenile Corrections (From Juvenile Caseworker: Resource Guide, 1992, P 2-6 -- See NCJ-138674)

• NCJ Number: 138675
• Author(s): K Konitzer
• Date Published: 1992
• Length: 5 pages
• Sale Source: American Correctional Association; National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Historical Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

This review of the history of juvenile corrections describes five eras of practice: the English and American experience (pre-1825), the Reformatory Period (1825-1899), the Juvenile Court Era (1899-1960), the Gault Era (1960-1980), and the Present Era (1980-present).

Abstract

Currently, juvenile corrections operates in an atmosphere of constant change. Most likely accountability, which has increased as a programmatic concern, will persist. Prior to 1885, juveniles were subject to many of the same forms of punishment as adults. Then came the reformatory period, which marked the beginning of a formal municipal interest in housing delinquent juveniles. The Gault case, heard by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1967 and other cases of the time, helped limit the discretion of the juvenile court and provide juveniles with some of the due process rights afforded adults. A deinstitutionalization movement occurred during the late 1960's and early 1970's, but the public no longer is as enthusiastic about community programs. A significant improvement in juvenile justice is the creation of standards for facilities. The standards and accreditation process developed by the American Correctional Association enables practitioners to gauge their activities against the level of professionalism necessary to ensure proper treatment of juveniles in custody.