NCJ Number
55214
Journal
Police Review Volume: 85, Dated: (JULY 1977) Pages: 958-961
Date Published
1977
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE TRANSITION FROM CAPITAL PUNISHMENT TO INCARCERATION IS EXAMINED IN THIS LOOK AT GREAT BRITAIN'S TREATMENT OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS.
Abstract
IN THE EARLY 19TH CENTURY, DEATH, TRANSPORTATION, AND INCARCERATION WERE THE ONLY METHODS OF DEALING WITH OFFENDERS. ONLY CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 7 WERE EXEMPT FROM THE PENALTIES IMPOSED. HARSH PUNISHMENT WAS VIEWED AS GOOD FOR THE SOUL AND NECESSARY FOR THE SALVATION OF YOUNG AND OLD ALIKE. IT WAS AT THIS TIME THAT CITIZEN GROUPS BEGAN TO AGITATE FOR HUMANITARIAN REFORM. IN THE MID-19TH CENTURY, AS A RESULT OF THE MOVEMENT TOWARDS REFORM, REFORMATORY SCHOOLS, RUN BY VOLUNTARY SOCIETIES, WERE FORMED. THE REFORMATORY SCHOOLS TAUGHT SKILLS SUCH AS ARITHMETIC, WRITING, SPELLING, READING, CARPENTRY, AND DOMESTIC SKILLS. THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING OFFERED WAS SEEN AS AN IMPORTANT INGREDIENT IN REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT WAS EMPHASIZED. IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY, PROTECTION OF SOCIETY WAS STILL SEEN AS MORE IMPORTANT THAN REHABILITATION. CONSEQUENTLY, SUPERVISORY CONCERNS SURFACED AND WERE HANDLED BY AFTERCARE AGENCIES. ACCOMPANYING THE TREND TOWARD SUPERVISION WAS THE NOTION OF HANDLING JUVENILES IN SEPARATE COURTS FROM ADULTS. LATER, AFTER 25 YEARS, THROUGH LEGISLATION, THE EMPHASIS TURNED TO THE RIGHTS OF THE OFFENDER, AND THE WELFARE OF THE JUVENILE BECAME THE PARAMOUNT CONCERN. IN SCOTLAND PROCEEDINGS WERE NOT EVEN TO BE THOUGHT OF AS CRIMINAL. IN ENGLAND, THE AGE OF CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY WENT UP TO 10 YEARS. PRESENT DAY HANDLING OF JUVENILE DELINQUENTS CONTINUES TO PLACE EMPHASIS ON REHABILITATION RATHER THAN RETRIBUTION. CONCERNS WITH DELINQUENTS ASSOCIATING WITH OTHER DELINQUENTS IN PRISONS AND REFORM SCHOOLS ARE BEING VOICED. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FAMILY IN PREVENTING AND CONTROLLING DELINQUENCY IS NOW RECOGNIZED MORE THAN EVER. POLICE CAUTIONING OF JUVENILES HAS DRAMATICALLY INCREASED. ILLUSTRATIONS ACCOMPANY THE REPORT. (MLC)