NCJ Number
50784
Journal
Howard Journal of Penology and Crime Prevention Volume: 16 Issue: 3 Dated: (1978) Pages: 144-153
Date Published
1978
Length
10 pages
Annotation
THE REPORT OF A COMMITTEE OF SENIOR CIVIL SERVANTS THAT CONSIDERED HOW TO DEAL WITH JUVENILE OFFENDERS IN NORTHERN IRELAND IN LIGHT OF INCREASING STREET VIOLENCE AND LACK OF POLICE RAPPORT IS ASSESSED.
Abstract
THE CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS REVIEW GROUP WAS SET UP UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF SIR HAROLD BLACK IN JANUARY 1976, TO EXAMINE THE CARE AND TREATMENT OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE UNDER THE NORTHERN IRELAND ACTS, TO CONSIDER THE FUTURE OF THE NORTHERN IRELAND PROBATION SERVICE, AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO CHANGE IN LEGISLATION AND ORGANIZATION. THE RESULTS OF THEIR INQUIRY ARE DISCUSSED WITH RESPECT TO THE NORTHERN IRELAND SITUATION, BRITISH COMPARISONS, INSTITUTIONAL RESOURCES, AND PROBATION AND SUPERVISION. IT IS ARGUED THAT THE REVIEW GROUP FAILED TO COME TO TERMS WITH THE PROBLEM OF DEALING WITH JUVENILE CRIME IN A SITUATION OF CIVIL UNREST AND WIDESPREAD INVOLVEMENT OF YOUTH IN POLITICALLY MOTIVATED CRIMINAL CONDUCT. THEY FAILED TO CONSIDER THAT PERHAPS THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN THE REGION IS ONLY A CONTRIBUTORY FACTOR AND NOT THE ROOT CAUSE OF INCREASED DELINQUENCY. ALSO, THE REVIEW GROUP IS OF THE OPINION THAT THE BASIC CONCEPT UNDERLYING BOTH THE SCOTTISH AND ENGLISH SYSTEMS OF JUVENILE JUSTICE IS THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE COMMON GENESIS OF THE PROBLEMS OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS AND NONOFFENDERS. HOWEVER, WHILE IN ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND LOCAL AUTHORITIES OR CHILDREN'S HEARINGS DECIDE THE NATURE OF TREATMENT UNDER JUVENILE CARE ORDERS, IN NORTHERN IRELAND THE POWER TO DETERMINE TREATMENT IS STILL IN THE HANDS OF THE JUVENILE COURT. THE PRINCIPLE UNDERLYING THIS SYSTEM IS THAT CONTROL AND DETERRENCE ARE BASIC INGREDIENTS OF TREATMENT, CONFLICTING WITH THE IDEA THAT CRIME IS MERELY ONE INDICATOR AMONG OTHERS OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND SHOULD NOT BE SINGLED OUT FOR SPECIAL TREATMENT. THIS CONFLICT IS EVIDENTLY TRANSPOSED TO THE AVAILABLE TREATMENT MODALITIES AS WELL; TRAINING SCHOOLS (OFTEN USED INAPPROPRIATELY) AND BORSTAL TRAINING DOMINATE THE SYSTEM OF CARE AND TREATMENT, AND THERE HAS BEEN CRITICISM OF THE LACK OF LINKAGE BETWEEN INSTITUTIONAL APPROACHES AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS COMMONLY UTILIZED IN ENGLAND. PROBATION CASEWORK TECHNIQUES IN THE REGION CLOSELY RESEMBLE THE ENGLISH APPROACH, ALTHOUGH INTERMEDIATE TREATMENT DOES NOT EXIST AS A STATUTORY OPTION. IN LIGHT OF THE RICH RESOURCES FOR SPORTS AND LEISURE AVAILABLE IN NORTHERN IRELAND, SOME INTERESTING INTERMEDIATE PROGRAMS COULD BE DEVELOPED. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (KBL)