NCJ Number
136801
Date Published
1984
Length
0 pages
Annotation
The history of juvenile justice policies in the United States are reviewed briefly prior to a look at the current trend towards processing juveniles within the adult system. The effects of institutionalization in both juvenile and adult facilities is considered in terms of rehabilitation, and four alternative correctional programs are described.
Abstract
These alternatives include referring minors to community boards for sentencing, use of wilderness "outward bound" programs, a residential model of corrections, and a "tracking" program to keep close tabs on juvenile offenders. The video emphasizes that the trend toward "getting tough" with juveniles by detaining them prior to trial, frequent use of institutionalization for even nonserious offenders, and waiving them to the adult system is ineffective in its intended outcome and serves a short-term purpose (to get the juveniles off the street). Juvenile justice systems in Florida (the State incarcerating the largest number of juveniles), Colorado, and Washington State are focused on as representing different approaches to juvenile justice.