Should We Give Up Reform? (From Juvenile Delinquency - A Justice Perspective, P 191-198, 1985, Ralph A Weisheit and Robert G Culbertson, eds. See NCJ-99489)

• NCJ Number: 99504
• Author(s): S M Hufstedler
• Date Published: 1985
• Length: 8 pages
• Sale Source: Waveland Press, Inc.
• Publication Type: Historical Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Reprinted from Crime and Delinquency, V 30, N 3 (July 1984), P 415-422

Annotation

The author traces forces which have moved the United States to abandon almost completely the rehabilitation goal for offenders and their impact on the juvenile justice system and then advocates renewed dedication to the rehabilitation of juvenile delinquents.

Abstract

During the last 30 years, juvenile justice has moved from the paternalistic model toward a medical model, even though this approach does not fit and results are often catastrophic and destructive. Although longer incarceration periods are being imposed on juveniles adjudicated in the juvenile justice system, the drop in juvenile crime is due to the diminution of the age cohort. There are few convincing demonstrations that rehabilitative methods completely reform individuals or reduce recidivism, but when criminal justice and social service professionals give up on the idea that rehabilitation is possible, then all hope for success is lost. Moreover, evidence does not support the belief that incarceration benefits the offender or society. Practices in the juvenile area that should be reexamined are probation to the home and required participation in certain academic or vocational classes. Resistance must be much stronger to attempts to remove discretion from juvenile judges. Instead, judges should be offered more resources, such as alternative placements and community dispositions. Two references are provided.