NCJ Number
45079
Journal
Ebony Volume: 33 Issue: 4 Dated: (FEBUARY 1978) Pages: 61-64,66
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
METHODS USED BY CLEVELAND'S FIRST BLACK JUVENILE COURT JUDGE IN DEALING WITH YOUNG OFFENDERS AND HIS VIEWS ON THE PROBLEMS OF HELPING BLACK JUVENILES ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
JUDGE LEODIS HARRIS, WHO CALLS HIS COURTROOM THE 'LION'S DEN' (REFERRING TO HIS ASTROLOGICAL SIGN), IS WORKING TOWARD HUMANIZING CLEVELAND'S JUVENILE COURT SYSTEM. HIS METHODS OF DEALING WITH THE JUVENILE OFFENDERS WHO COME BEFORE HIM INCLUDE HUMOR, ASTROLOGY (WHICH HE SAYS HELPS HIM TO RELATE TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE), AND A BLUE DENIM ROBE. HE WEARS THE ROBE AS A SIGN OF HIS APPROVAL WHEN A JUVENILE COMES BACK TO HIM WITH A GOOD REPORT; HE FEELS IT DOES NOT SYMBOLIZE THE TRADITIONAL VALUES OF STERN, UNFEELING JUSTICE. JUDGE HARRIS HAS ARRANGED SPECIAL READING PROGRAMS AT CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY FOR YOUTHS WHO HAVE COME BEFORE HIM WITH READING DEFICIENCIES. AT TIMES, HE ARRANGES TOURS FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS OF CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AND MAXIMUM-SECURITY PRISONS, FOR 'SHOCK TREATMENT' TO SHOW THEM WHERE A LIFE OF CRIME COULD LEAD. HE BLAMES MANY OF THE PROBLEMS OF BLACK YOUTH ON BLACK CHURCHES WHICH, HE SAYS, MAKE NO PROVISION FOR HELPING THEIR CHILDREN IN TROUBLE AND ARE NOT PREPARED TO COUNSEL YOUNG BLACKS WHEN THEY HAVE PROBLEMS.