NCJ Number
64124
Journal
Ilanud al Dia Volume: 2 Issue: 5 Dated: (AUGUST 1979) Pages: 16-28
Date Published
1979
Length
13 pages
Annotation
ALTHOUGH EXPLICITLY PROTECTED BY LAW IN MANY COUNTRIES, THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS ARE TOO OFTEN DISREGARDED, AND THE DISPOSITION OF THEIR CASES REFLECT PUNITIVE, INSTEAD OF REHABILITATIVE, POLICIES.
Abstract
CHILDREN OFTEN RECEIVE UNNECESSARILY CRUEL AND UNFAIR TREATMENT. DOCTORS AND NURSES INADVERTENTLY BRUTALIZE NEWBORNS BY THRUSTING THEM INTO A WORLD OF HARSH LIGHTS AND COLD TEMPERATURES. BY THE SAME TOKEN, POLICE AND JUVENILE COURT OFFICIALS, OUT OF A TOTAL MISUNDERSTANDING OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY, MISTAKENLY ASSUME THAT JUVENILES HAVE THE SAME CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY AS ADULTS AND THRUST THEM INTO CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, TRAUMATIZING THEM BY THE SUDDEN REMOVAL FROM THE SAFETY AND PROTECTION OF THEIR PARENTS' HOMES AND DEPRIVING THEM OF THEIR RIGHT TO REHABILITATIVE TREATMENT. YOUNG OFFENDERS ARE ALSO WRONGFULLY CALLED 'JUVENILE DELINQUENTS'; THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS JUVENILE 'DELINQUENCY' IN THE SENSE OF MALICIOUS AND DELIBERATE VIOLATION OF FULLY UNDERSTOOD CRIMINAL LAWS. CRIMINAL LABELING, COMBINED WITH THE ADVERSE AND CORRUPTING EFFECTS OF INSTITUTIONALIZATION, IRRETRIEVABLY DAMAGE A YOUNG PERSON'S PSYCHE. THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF YOUNG OFFENDERS SHOULD BE REGARDED AS AN EXTREME MEASURE TO BE RESORTED TO ONLY IN CASES WHERE THE YOUNGSTER DOES NOT HAVE COMPETENT PARENTS, IS A DANGER TO HIMSELF, OR HIS FAMILY ENVIRONMENT IS A DANGER TO HIS WELL-BEING. CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES FOR THESE CASES SHOULD OFFER COMPLETE TREATMENT AIMED AT REHABILITATION, FOLLOWING THE TOTAL PERSONALITY APPROACH OF THE MEXICAN MODEL (PSYCHOLOGICAL, PSYCHIATRIC, MEDICAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND VOCATIONAL). THE INDETERMINATE SENTENCES OF ALL INMATES SHOULD BE REVIEWED AT FREQUENT INTERVALS AND RELEASE ON PROBATION SHOULD BE SECURED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WITH CUSTODY IN THE FAMILY. PROBATION REPRESENTS THE IDEAL FORM OF TREATMENT BECAUSE IT TAKES PLACE IN THE PROBATIONERS' FAMILY ENVIRONMENTS; EVEN IF THE LATTER ARE NOT IDEAL ONES, COUNSELORS AND SOCIAL WORKERS CAN WORK CLOSELY WITH THE FAMILY, STRENGTHENING AND IMPROVING FAMILY INTERACTION. ALL EXPERTS WHO TAKE PART IN JUVENILE REHABILITATION SHOULD BE MARRIED AND HAVE CHILDREN OF THEIR OWN, THUS GUARANTEEING FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND CHILDREN'S EMOTIONAL NEEDS. --IN SPANISH. (LGR)