NCJ Number
68519
Journal
Monatsschrift fuer Kriminologie und Strafrechtsreform Volume: 63 Issue: 1 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1980) Pages: 20-32
Date Published
1980
Length
13 pages
Annotation
THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING REFORM OF SHORT-TERM JUVENILE DETENTION IN WEST GERMANY, AS WELL AS AN ALTERNATIVE MODEL TO IMPRISONMENT ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
REFORM MOVEMENTS IN 1974 AND 1977 DENIED THE VALIDITY OF 'SHOCK TREATMENT' PEDAGOGICAL METHODS WHICH HAVE TRADITIONALLY BEEN THE RATIONALE FOR SHORT-TERM JUVENILE ARREST. A SPECIAL REFORM COMMISSION THUS RECOMMENDS THAT JUVENILE ARREST BE CHARACTERIZED BY MORE EMPHASIS ON EDUCATION AND LESS ON PUNISHMENT. COUNTERARGUMENTS SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SHOCK TREATMENT FOR SELECTED PROBATIONERS WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM EXPOSURE TO THE REALITY OF IMPRISONMENT. SUCH A SELECTION PROCESS HOWEVER, STIGMATIZES CERTAIN JUVENILE DELINQUENTS AS 'BAD' AND FOLLOWS AN OUTMODED PSYCHOLOGY OF SUPERFICIAL CHARACTERISTICS. FURTHERMORE, THE ASSISTANCE OFFERED THE SELECTED JUVENILES IN INSTITUTIONS IS NOT GEARED TO THE NEEDS ARISING FROM THEIR LOWER-CLASS SOCIALIZATION. THE ALTERNATIVE JUVENILE DETENTION MODEL PRACTICED IN HAMBURG-WANDSBECK CONSIDERS THE CLIENTS' SOCIALLY UNDERPRIVILEGED BACKGROUND SITUATION. SHOCK TREATMENT IS DEEMED UNSUITABLE BECAUSE IT ONLY CREATES COMMUNICATION BARRIERS AND AROUSES FEAR. INSTEAD, A NATURAL ENVIRONMENT WITH CIVILIAN CLOTHING AND FURLOUGHS IS MAINTAINED. CORRECTIONS OFFICERS WORK TO PROMOTE MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE WITH INMATES, AND OUTSIDE CONTACTS ARE ENCOURAGED. ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED IN OBTAINING WORK AND IDENTIFICATION PAPERS. PROBLEM-ORIENTED INTERVENTION REDUCES THE CHANCES OF FURTHER OFFICIAL CONTROL. INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO JUVENILE ARREST WHICH HOLD JUVENILES ALONE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR BEHAVIOR ARE REJECTED. JUVENILE COURTS MUST LEARN TO UNDERSTAND DEVELOPMENT AS PROCESS AND INTERACTION AND TO MOTIVATE THE VOLUNTARY COOPERATION OF PROBATIONERS. NOTES AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE SUPPLIED. --IN GERMAN.