INTER-INSTITUTIONAL CONFLICT AS A MAJOR IMPEDIMENT TO DELINQUENCY PREVENTION (FROM CRIME AND DELINQUENCY, A READER, 1970 BY CARL A. BERSANI - SEE NCJ-006248)

• NCJ Number: 10232
• Author(s): W B MILLER
• Date Published: 1970
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: Macmillan
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINTED FROM HUMAN ORGANIZATION, V 17, N 3 (FALL 1958)

Annotation

THE ADOPTION OF EFFECTIVE PROCEDURES AND PHILOSOPHIES BY MANY JUVENILE DELINQUENCY PREVENTION INSTITUTIONS WOULD POSE SEVERE THREATS TO THE VIABILITY OF THE INSTITUTION.

Abstract

THERE IS MUCH CONFLICT OVER THE ISSUE OF PROPER PROCEDURE AMONG THE DIFFERENT GROUPS WHICH MAINTAIN VARYING ORDERS OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR DELINQUENCY PREVENTION. THIS CONFLICT RESULTS IN A LACK OF COORDINATION AND MUTUAL BLOCKING OF EFFORTS LEADING TO A STALEMATE IN REFERENCE TO A COMMUNITY-SUPPORTED OBJECTIVE. BUT THESE CONFLICTS OVER METHOD DERIVE FROM THE BASIC INSTITUTIONAL PHILOSOPHIES OF THE SEVERAL INSTITUTIONS. THEIR MAINTENANCE IS VITAL TO THE INSTITUTION'S CONTINUED EXISTENCE. THIS SITUATION APPEARS TO HAVE IMPORTANT IMPLICATIONS FOR DELINQUENCY PREVENTION. IT IMPLIES THAT THE MAJOR IMPEDIMENT TO EFFECTIVENESS IN THIS FIELD RELATES MORE TO THE NATURE OF RELATIONS AMONG THE VARIOUS CONCERNED INSTITUTIONS THAN TO LACK OF KNOWLEDGE AS TO EFFECTIVE PROCEDURE. MUCH IS NOW KNOWN ABOUT THE CAUSES OF DELINQUENCY AND PROMISING AMELIORATIVE TECHNIQUES HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED. THE PRINCIPAL DIFFICULTY LIES IN THE APPLICATION OF THESE TECHNIQUES, AND ANY REALISTIC POSSIBILITY OF SUCH APPLICATION DEPENDS ALMOST ENTIRELY ON EXISTING INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURES. THIS WOULD SUGGEST A SHIFT IN EMPHASIS IN CURRENT RESEARCH AND ACTION EFFORTS, FROM A PRIMARY FOCUS ON THE RELATIONS BETWEEN IMPLEMENTING INSTITUTIONS AND THE SUBJECT POPULATION, TO THE RELATIONSHIPS AMONG THE INSTITUTIONS THEMSELVES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)