NCJ Number
45295
Date Published
1977
Length
49 pages
Annotation
GUIDELINES ARE PRESENTED TO HELP CITIZENS REDUCE JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY BY ADDRESSING CAUSES RATHER THAN SYMPTOMS, AND WORK ON BEHALF OF YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS IN VIRGINIA IS REPORTED.
Abstract
THE PREMISE OF THE MANUAL IS THAT CITIZENS AT THE LOCAL COMMUNITY LEVEL MUST DEAL WITH SOCIAL CONDITIONS RELATED TO THE COMMISSION OF CRIME. CRIME PREVENTION IS EXPLAINED BY CONTRASTING IT WITH TREATMENT OR REHABILITATION; BOTH THE PREVENTION OF CRIME AND DELINQUENCY AND THE TREATMENT OF THE CRIMINAL AND THE DEFENDANT ARE NECESSARY, BUT IT IS MISLEADING AND SOCIALLY DESTRUCTIVE TO ASSUME THEY ARE SYNONYMOUS. SINCE CRIME AND DELINQUENCY ARE PRODUCTS OF WHERE PEOPLE LIVE, LOCAL COMMUNITIES REPRESENT THE PRIMARY LOCUS FOR EFFORTS TO PREVENT DELINQUENCY. THE CONCEPT OF DELINQUENCY PREVENTION INVOLVES THE CORRECTION OF RECURRENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES THAT PRODUCE FAILURES. POLICIES AND PRACTICES SHOULD OPERATE TO ENABLE MOST YOUTH TO HAVE ACCESS TO SOCIALLY DESIRABLE ROLES; ENABLE POLICIES TO BE SEEN POSITIVELY BY FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND TEACHERS; AND ENABLE YOUTH TO FEEL SUBSTANTIAL PERSONAL CONTROL OVER THE DIRECTION OF THEIR OWN LIVES AS INTEGRATED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. NEGATIVE LABELING AND ALIENATION AFFECT THE ACCESS OF YOUTH TO SOCIALLY DESIRABLE ROLES. IN BUILDING A DELINQUENCY PREVENTION PROGRAM, BROAD STRATEGIES ARE IDENTIFIED FOR ACHIEVING GOALS; (1) COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT AND COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING; (2) ORGANIZATIONAL INTERVENTION; (3) INFORMATION, REFERRAL, AND TRACKING; AND (4) PUBLIC EDUCATION. THE ADOPTION OF THESE STRATEGIES IN VIRGINIA IS DISCUSSED, AN ORGANIZATIONAL MODEL FOR COMPREHENSIVE AND COMMUNITY WIDE DELINQUENCY PREVENTION PROGRAMMING IS DESCRIBED AND ILLUSTRATED, AND THE PROCESS INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT IS REVIEWED. SUCCESS INDICATORS FOR DELINQUENCY PREVENTION PROGRAMS ARE ENUMERATED. APPENDIXES CONTAINED IN A COMPANION BOOKLET TO THE MANUAL ARE LISTED, AND REFERENCES ARE CITED. (DEP)