NCJ Number
7337
Date Published
1965
Length
146 pages
Annotation
COURT JUDGES AND PROBATION OFFICERS WHO DEALT WITH JUVENILE OFFENDERS WERE TESTED ON THEIR USE OF VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE REPORT FOR PREDICTING FUTURE DELINQUENCY.
Abstract
THE PREHEARING REPORT ENUMERATES AND SUMMARIZES THE BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION WHICH IS ROUTINELY CARRIED OUT BY A JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICER PRIOR TO THE COURT APPEARANCE OF A JUVENILE CHARGED WITH DELINQUENCY. THE SECTIONS ON PRIOR COURT APPEARANCES, RECIDIVISM, PROBATION VIOLATIONS, PROBATION ADJUSTMENT, CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION ADJUSTMENT, AND OCCUPATIONAL ADJUSTMENT WERE EVALUATED INDIVIDUALLY FOR THEIR PREDICTIVE VALIDITY. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE PREDICTION OF SUBSEQUENT ADJUSTMENT ON THE BASIS OF THE REPORT WAS COMPLEX AND THAT INDIVIDUAL PREDICTIONS CANNOT ACCURATELY BE MADE AT THE PRESENT TIME FROM THE PREHEARING REPORT. THE AUTHOR FEELS THAT THE REPORT CAN BE USED APPROPRIATELY FOR REHABILITATION PLANS AND HAS POTENTIAL FOR GREATER USE IN MAKING JUDICIAL DECISIONS.