MILITARY DEPENDENTS DELINQUENCY

• NCJ Number: 57733
• Author(s): R P WALTERS
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 24 pages
• Sale Source: National Technical Information Service
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: US ARMY COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF COLLEGE - STUDENT STUDY PROJECT

Annotation

THE IMPACT OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY ON ARMY BASES IN THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES (CONUS) AND THE ROLES OF THE INSTALLATION COMMANDER, ARMY COURT SYSTEM, DELINQUENT, AND PARENTS ARE EXAMINED IN THIS STUDY.

Abstract

SINCE THE JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION ACT OF 1974 REQUIRES THAT JUVENILES BE TRIED BY DISTRICT RATHER THAN FEDERAL COURTS, DELINQUENTS ON MILITARY BASES HAVE BLANKET FREEDOM TO COMMIT CRIMES WITHOUT FEAR OF RETRIBUTION. THIS IS BECAUSE MILITARY INSTALLATIONS ARE UNDER EXCLUSIVE FEDERAL JURISDICTION WITHOUT DISTRICT COURTS. AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE SERIOUSNESS OF DELINQUENCY ON MILITARY BASES IS HAMPERED BY A SHORTAGE OF ARMY STATISTICS ON DELINQUENCY. HOWEVER, IN 1974, FORT MEADE, MD., HAS APPROXIMATELY 65 JUVENILE DELINQUENCY PROBLEMS AND NONE OF THEM WERE PROSECUTED BY STATE OR FEDERAL OFFICIALS. SUCH AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM COULD BE ADDRESSED THROUGH EITHER OF TWO APPROACHES. PEER PRESSURE COULD BE APPLIED THROUGH THE CREATION OF JUVENILE PROBATION SERVICES ADMINISTERED IN PART BY A JUVENILE COUNCIL COMPOSED OF AT LEAST SEVEN HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS AND SENIORS. THE COUNCIL COULD IDENTIFY PROBLEM DELINQUENTS AND SEE THAT THEY RECEIVE APPROPRIATE TREATMENT SERVICES. PARENTS WOULD BECOME INVOLVED IN PROVIDING VARIOUS TEEN CLUB ACTIVITIES. IT IS MORE LIKELY, HOWEVER, THAT MOST BASES WILL ESTABLISH A JUVENILE ARBITRATION PROGRAM SIMILAR TO THE FORT MEADE PROGRAM. SUCH A PROGRAM ESTABLISHES THE RESPONSIBILITIES WHICH FORT PERSONNEL, INCLUDING THE PROVOST MARSHALL, STAFF JUDGE ADVOCATE, DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL--COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, FORT PSYCHOLOGISTS OR PSYCHIATRISTS, POST CHAPLAIN, AND INSTALLATION COMMANDER SHOULD ASSUME IN ADDRESSING DELINQUENCY PROBLEMS. THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT TO DELINQUENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. IN THIS WAY THE PROBLEM CAN BE RESOLVED RATHER THAN MERELY REMOVED OFF BASE AS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST. A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE HISTORY AND CURRENT CONCEPTS CONCERNING JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IN AMERICA IS PROVIDED AND REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (KCP)