NCJ Number
75081
Date Published
1973
Length
106 pages
Annotation
This discussion of delinquency prevention and the punishment and rehabilitation of delinquents is part of a series that summarizes research findings related to various aspects of the treatment of delinquents.
Abstract
Prevention, punishment, and rehabilitation are viewed as the three essential aspects of reducing deviant youth behavior. While punishment is acknowledged to be viewed negatively by many involved in the treatment of youth, it is considered necessary as part of a structure for discouraging destructive behavior, making clear the relative seriousness of various deviant acts, and protecting the public. Three types of delinquency prevention are discussed under three categories. Primary prevention relates to the early identification and eradication of a problem before the symptoms of deviancy become any more severe. Tertiary prevention can be used synonomously with rehabilitation, since it involves relieving a chronic problem of delinquency. After describing particular prevention approaches in schools and in the community, guiding principles for prevention are presented. The discussion of rehabilitation examines institutionalization as a treatment measure, vocationally-oriented institutional program, community treatment as an alternative to institutionalization, correctional education, and community rehabilitation and the schools. Tables and a list of 49 references are provided.