NCJ Number
90929
Journal
Revue Penitaire et de Droit Penal Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1982) Pages: 75-107
Date Published
1982
Length
33 pages
Annotation
In the Federal Republic of Germany, young people who are in trouble or are on the periphery of society are governed primarily by the law on the well-being of youth of April 1, 1924, (amended by the law of April 25, 1977) and by the law on the jurisdiction of minors of August 4, 1953 (amended by the law of October 5, 1978).
Abstract
Socially maladjusted or neglected children and adolescents up to age 18 who require care or protection are taken to the Youth Office immediately or subsequent to a judicial order. Minors are aged 14 to 18; young adults are aged 18 to 21. No minor under age 14 is punishable by law. In cases of serious crime, corrective measures may be applied in closed institutions, or youth may be incarcerated in penal institutions. The training of social workers in the Federal Republic of Germany is well organized and complete. Following the completion of required studies, fieldwork, and a final examination, social workers are licensed to work in hospitals, businesses, health prevention, an open setting for youth at-risk or youthful offenders, or in a penitentiary environment. Training varies from region to region, but it generally includes coursework in methodology, political science, social policy, administration, psychology, social medicine, psychopathology, law, and sociology, and it may include courses on education, communication, philosophy, and social ethics.