NCJ Number
181598
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 63 Issue: 2 Dated: December 1999 Pages: 11-15
Editor(s)
Ellen W. Fielding
Date Published
1999
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Legislative changes are taking place that represent more punitive approaches to juvenile crime control, even though evidence indicates that such approaches do not reduce juvenile crime and fall disproportionately on minority young people.
Abstract
Congress has enacted legislation requiring States to consider changing their laws to allow for the easier transfer of juveniles to the adult criminal justice system. Congress is also considering legislation that would allow juveniles in the Federal system to be held in adult jails. At the same time, research in Florida, New York, and New Jersey indicates that juveniles sent to the adult system are significantly more likely to be re-arrested, commit new offenses sooner, and commit more serious offenses than those processed in juvenile courts. The disproportionate impact of legislative changes on minority young people raises particular concerns in the context of prosecuting juveniles as adults. Although a small percentage of young people need to be placed in secure facilities, these young people should not be mixed with adults. Policymakers should not use fear and stereotypes to justify an unnecessarily punitive juvenile justice system that disproportionately affects minority young people and communities. Instead, policymakers should incorporate rehabilitation and alternatives to detention back into the juvenile justice system. 24 footnotes