NCJ Number
48836
Date Published
1977
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PUNISHMENT AND TRAINING SCHOOLS ON JUVENILE OFFENDERS IS DISCUSSED IN THIS TAPED DEBATE OF EDITORIAL VIEWPOINTS FROM TIME MAGAZINE AND FORTUNE NEWS.
Abstract
ACCORDING TO TIME MAGAZINE, 10 PERCENT OF ALL JUVENILE OFFENDERS ARE INCORRIGIBLE OFFENDERS. THEY MUST BE CONSTRAINED UNTIL AGE MELLOWS THEM. WHEN A 16-YEAR-OLD IS TRIED FOR MURDER, HE SHOULD RECEIVE ADULT TREATMENT. THE JUVENILE CODE WAS ORIGINALLY DESIGNED TO KEEP MINOR OFFENSES OFF THE RECORDS OF JUVENILES. THESE LAWS MUST BE CHANGED, BECAUSE AN ADULT CRIME DESERVES AN ADULT PUNISHMENT. WHEN STIFFER SENTENCES FOR JUVENILES HAVE BEEN INSTITUTED, THE NUMBER OF TEENAGE HOMICIDES HAS DECLINED, AND THE NUMBER OF CASES IN COURT HAS DECLINED. YOUNG OFFENDERS MUST BE TRIED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, BECAUSE A CHILD'S MEMORY FOR DETAIL IS VERY SHORT, AND THE FACTS BECOME DISTORTED VERY QUICKLY. WHEN A YOUTH HAS STOLEN THINGS, HE SHOULD MAKE RESTITUTION. HE SHOULD DO SOCIAL SERVICE WORK UNTIL HE EARNS ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY THE DAMAGES. THE VIEWPOINT OF FORTUNE NEWS IS THAT LEGISLATORS MUST NOT AVOID THE PROBLEM OF JUVENILE CRIME, AND LAWS MUST BE CHANGED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE CHILDREN. SOCIAL REVENGE DOES NOT CHANGE THE TRENDS IN STREET CRIME. JUVENILE VIOLENCE MUST BE STOPPED, BUT JUVENILES SHOULD NOT BE INSTITUTIONALIZED. THERE IS A DEFINITE NEED FOR RADICAL REFORM, IN WHICH THE NEEDS OF THE CHILDREN HAVE PRIORITY. (BAC)