NCJ Number
133048
Date Published
1991
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This paper first speculates about the future of the juvenile criminal justice system in Slovenia formerly part of (Yugoslavia) and then describes and analyzes current trends in the institutionalized treatment of juvenile delinquent and other youth committed to institutions.
Abstract
Trends in the treatment of juveniles include community work projects, therapeutic summer camps, street work schemes, self-help groups, volunteer work, halfway houses, daily treatment, and preventive consulting centers. Critics of this trend toward expanded treatment methods argue that it brings more juveniles under the State's jurisdiction ("net-widening") and does not give appropriate attention to juveniles' rights. There are 11 institutions for residential treatment in Slovenia. They house juveniles categorized as having "behavioral and personality disturbances" as well as juveniles with a court order. These institutions are intended to provide a protective environment for the juvenile while providing some educational and vocational training. In 1985, the government decided to renovate these residential institutions. This involves the building of new houses and the provision of new premises for the institutions. Some principles for this renovation are that the new institutional system not accommodate more residents than are currently housed, that the institutions achieve more integration with the community, and that the organizational structures and treatment styles be more heterogeneous and flexible. Although there are indications of some changes in the form and content of treatment, the patterns for the use of the residential institutions are likely to remain the same. 1 table and 15 references