NCJ Number
46803
Date Published
1976
Length
0 pages
Annotation
A DISCUSSION OF THE PROBLEMS FACING THE JUVENILE JUSTICE AND CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM ARE PRESENTED IN THIS FILMSTRIP AND CASSETTE PROGRAM.
Abstract
JUVENILES COMMIT ONE-THIRD OF ALL THE NATION'S CRIMES, BUT BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT OF LEGAL AGE, THEY ARE DIVERTED TO THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. JUVENILE STATUS OFFENDERS (RUNAWAYS AND TRUANTS) ARE THROWN TOGETHER IN THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM WITH JUVENILE OFFENDERS WHO MAY HAVE COMMITTED CRIMES AS SERIOUS AS MURDER. THE SYSTEM IS FOUNDED ON REHABILITATIVE PRINCIPLES; JUVENILES ARE CONSIDERED DELINQUENTS, NOT CRIMINALS. WHEN JUVENILES CANNOT BE RETURNED TO THEIR HOMES, THEY ARE INSTITUTIONALIZED, AND USUALLY AN ATTEMPT IS MADE TO TRAIN THEM TO BE USEFUL ADULT CITIZENS. THE JUVENILE COURT AND CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES ARE OVERCROWDED, AND AS A RESULT, MANY OFFENDERS ARE SIMPLY RELEASED ON PROBATION. ALTHOUGH SOME JUVENILE INSTITUTIONS MAY OFFER PLEASANT SURROUNDINGS AND GOOD SCHOOLS, RESIDENTS CLAIM THAT REHABILITATION IS NOT FACILITATED. UPON RELEASE, SOME OFFENDERS COMMIT ANOTHER CRIME IN ORDER TO RETURN TO THE INSTITUTION THAT HAS BECOME HOME TO THEM. THE RECIDIVISM RATE, EVEN FOR THE BETTER INSTITUTIONS IS OVER 40 PERCENT. MANY STATUS OFFENDERS CLAIM THAT WHEN THEY WERE ADMITTED TO AN INSTITUTION, THEY LEARNED HOW TO COMMIT REAL CRIMES. AS A RESULT, THERE IS A MOVEMENT TO TREAT THE STATUS OFFENDER SEPARATELY. IN SOME CASES, STATUS OFFENDERS CAN BE PLACED IN FOSTER HOMES WHERE THEY WILL RECEIVE THE NECESSARY SUPERVISION. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT SERIOUS JUVENILE OFFENDERS SHOULD RECEIVE COMMENSURATE PENALTIES AND THAT EFFORTS AT REHABILITATION SHOULD TAKE ON A MORE SERIOUS TONE. IT IS ARGUED THAT THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM MUST BE CHANGED TO FIT THE ALTERED PERCEPTIONS OF THE 20TH CENTURY. A DISCUSSION GUIDE IS INCLUDED WITH THE SET. (BAC)