NCJ Number
158351
Journal
New England Journal on Criminal and Civil Confinement Volume: 21 Issue: 2 Dated: (Summer 1995) Pages: 433-435
Date Published
1995
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The government response to crime has been to increase penalties and build more prisons; while these measures seem justifiable, they do not have the effect of reducing crime, especially violent crime committed by young people.
Abstract
It is widely recognized that the number of serious crimes committed by juvenile and youthful offenders has risen dramatically over the last several years. Juvenile arrests for violent crimes increased by 41 percent between 1981 and 1991; arrests for murder and aggravated assault increased by 93 percent and 72 percent, respectively. Crime prevention involves more than police detection and deterrence through punishment. To be effective, crime prevention requires a comprehensive social response in which the criminal justice system, social service agencies, law enforcement agencies, schools, and families work in partnership to devise a multidisciplinary approach to violence prevention. A demonstration project launched in one Massachusetts community that targets youthful offenders and combines priority prosecution and treatment for those involved in serious offenses is noted.