NCJ Number
89433
Date Published
1983
Length
31 pages
Annotation
This study examines the pattern of serious juvenile crimes in the District of Columbia, the needs of such offenders, official response to serious juvenile offenders, and a proposed approach.
Abstract
Juveniles under 18, who comprise 15 percent of the District of Columbia (D.C.) population, are arrested for 18 percent of the serious crimes against persons and 27 percent of the serious property crimes. In the past 5 years, 250 repeat or violent offenders have been convicted, with most being committed to juvenile facilities. About 85 percent have been rearrested after release from incarceration. About 150 juveniles under age 18 are tried in adult court each year, and many receive sentences to Lorton Youth Center, but there is no evidence that the adult facilities rehabilitate a higher percentage of young offenders. Serious juvenile offenders appear to need an individualized school program, a trusting relationship, and assistance in developing self-control. The rehabilitation of juvenile offenders requires three steps: (1) the use of a reliable method for determining which juvenile offenders are good risks for community-based interventions, which would profit more from institutionalization, and which cannot be rehabilitated; (2) the use of increased resources in juvenile institutions for a smaller number of dangerous offenders; and (3) an allocation of substantial funds for community-based programs capable of giving serious juvenile offenders the one-to-one attention they need.