NCJ Number
208018
Date Published
September 2004
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This paper examines whether the stated reform policy of delivering educational and rehabilitative services to juvenile offenders instead of harsh punitive regimes in Bosnia and Herzegovina is being implemented by the courts.
Abstract
Under new juvenile justice policies, prosecutorial diversion to educational and rehabilitative services is permitted if the offense is punishable by a fine or imprisonment that does not exceed 3 years and the offender admits he/she has committed the crime and is willing to make amends with the victim. Options available to the prosecutor in such cases are to require the juvenile to make a personal apology to the victim; compensate the victim for damages; attend school regularly; and participate in instructive, educational, psychological, and other forms of counseling. Judges may authorize the following measures: performance of charitable community service; employment in an appropriate job; placement with a foster family, a group home, or institution; and treatment in a health facility. Research has found, however, that during the period 1999-2002, only 10 percent of judges and 33 percent of prosecutors imposed any educational/rehabilitative requirements in case dispositions. The judges and prosecutors explain this record by stating that most juvenile cases do not meet the criteria for using the educational/rehabilitative measures. These findings suggest that the criteria for imposing educational/rehabilitative dispositions must be broadened and clearly stated to judges and prosecutors so that more juveniles will benefit from the new policy. 13 notes