NCJ Number
76781
Date Published
1981
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This paper, presented at the 110th Congress of Correction of the American Correctional Association (ACA), discusses past attempts to develop solutions to juvenile crime problems and reviews new approaches to the field, with examples drawn from California programs.
Abstract
Past attempts to resolve juvenile crime problems have been characterized by reflective reactions to immediate, inadequately perceived problems and by attempts to solve problems solely by expending large amounts of money on them. Corrections professionals have sometimes adopted unproven, quick solutions developed by persons outside the field, such as programs based on a film entitled 'Scared Straight.' Some of the new initiatives, such as harsher sentencing for juveniles, are only revisions of approaches which have failed in the past. Three new approaches should be implemented immediately. First, the fragmentation existing in the field must be eliminated by encouraging cooperation among various components of the juvenile justice system. Second, solutions to the problem of institutional overcrowding must be found. Finally, public involvement in problem solving must be encouraged. In California, fragmentation has been attacked by developing county coordinating agencies. In addition, the California Youth Authority coordinates juvenile programs and inspects juvenile facilities. Control of programs for serious offenders is shared by State and local agencies. Starting with juvenile delinquency prevention, corrections professionals hould catalyze action for and holistically support better lives for American youth, should speak out on larger social issues, should cooperate with other agencies in providing services, and should use ACA to achieve these ends.