NCJ Number
104075
Date Published
1986
Length
13 pages
Annotation
A variety of psychological and sociological methods and techniques were used to examine the impressions and attitudes of 100 Russian juvenile offenders to their penal proceedings and to incarceration.
Abstract
Overall, juveniles expressed negative opinions of the penal proceedings. While 75 percent where convinced of the justice of the court's decisionmaking, over half regarded their sentences as inappropriately severe. With respect to individuals involved in proceedings, the prosecutor was most frequently viewed as the individual who behaved least justly and most inappropriately, while counsel for the defense was perceived most favorably on both counts. Evaluations of the judge and social worker fell in between these two extremes. Overall impressions of the trial showed a more balanced perspective, with negative and positive impressions being approximately equal. Serving the prison term was viewed as useless by 61 percent of convicted juveniles, and 25 percent viewed the incarceration as harmful. Complaints focused on the monotony of the work required, the behavior of fellow convicts, and isolation from family and friends. Less than 62 percent were willing verbally to express a guarantee not to recidivate deliberately after release. Finally, all but two of the subjects looked forward to being at liberty after release. Results suggest a collision between the attitudes of these juveniles and the realities they face as a consequence of their criminal activity. 5 notes.