NCJ Number
69534
Date Published
1968
Length
52 pages
Annotation
THIS MASSACHUSETTS STUDY OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY FINDS DELINQUENCY RATES INCREASING ALONG GROWING DISRESPECT FOR LAW AND AUTHORITY AMONG TODAY'S YOUTH.
Abstract
THE COMMITTEE'S SURVEY CONSISTS OF PARTIAL STATISTICS THAT ARE NOT RECORDED IN A UNIFORM MANNER AND DO NOT REFLECT THE SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF UNSOLVED AND UNREPORTED DELINQUENT ACTS WHICH OCCUR DAILY IN THE STATE. IN SPITE OF THE LIMITATIONS, THE DATA GIVE SOME INDICATION OF THE EXTENT OF THE DELINQUENCY PROBLEM. IN 1967, 17,503 JUVENILES APPEARED IN COURT ON DELINQUENCY CHARGES. THE BOSTON JUVENILE COURT HAD 1,800 CASES; THE WORCESTER COURT, 1,111; AND THE SPRINGFIELD COURT 832. MORE THAN 500 APPEARANCES WERE REPORTED BY 6 COURTS, AND 18 OTHERS REPORTED MORE THAN 300 APPEARANCES. THIS REPRESENTS A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE SINCE 1959, WHEN ONLY 2 COURTS HAD OVER 500 JUVENILE APPEARANCES AND ONLY 6 COURTS HAD OVER 300 APPEARANCES. DURING THE SAME PERIOD, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF JUVENILE COURT APPEARANCES INCREASED BY 76.4 PERCENT. THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT THE STATE APPROPRIATE FUNDS ESTABLISHING REGIONAL OFFICES TO PROVIDE CONSULTATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES ON DELINQUENCY PREVENTION PROGRAMS, PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR YOUTH RESOURCES BUREAUS, AND INTENSIFY EFFORTS TO INVOLVE YOUNG PEOPLE IN COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, THE COMMITTEE ALSO FAVORS FUNDS FOR SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAMS, SUPPORT FOR SCHOOL ADJUSTMENT SERVICE TEAMS, LEGISLATION TO PERMIT HIRING ADDITIONAL PROBATION OFFICERS, AND FUNDS TO ESTABLISH PROGRAMS OF INTENSIVE SUPERVISION AND SERVICE. NO REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED.