US NATIONAL COMMISSION ON LAW OBSERVANCE AND ENFORCEMENT - REPORT NO 6 - REPORT ON THE CHILD OFFENDER IN THE FEDERAL SYSTEM OF JUSTICE

• NCJ Number: 44544
• Author(s): M VAN WATERS
• Date Published: 1931
• Length: 179 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Statistics
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

METHODS USED BY POLICE, COURTS, PROBATION, AND PENAL INSTITUTIONS IN DEALING WITH MINORS WHO HAVE VIOLATED FEDERAL LAWS ARE EXAMINED IN THIS 1931 REPORT.

Abstract

DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN JUVENILE AND ADULT OFFENDERS WAS MADE ONLY IN STATE LAW; THE CONCEPT OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY DID NOT EXIST IN THE FEDERAL PENAL CODE AS OF 1931. THE DELINQUENT CHILD WHO HAD VIOLATED A FEDERAL LAW WAS DEALT WITH IN THE SAME MANNER AS AN ADULT OFFENDER AND WAS CONFINED IN THE SAME INSTITUTIONS. THE LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF THE CONCEPT OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IS OUTLINED. DATA ARE GIVEN FOR THE TIME OF WRITING DETAILING NUMBERS OF CHILDREN DETAINED IN LOCAL JAILS. GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION, AND CHARGES AGAINST THEM. CONDITIONS OF JUVENILES THEN CONFINED TO SEVERAL FEDERAL PENAL INSTITUTIONS ARE EXAMINED -- THEIR LIVING ARRANGEMENTS, HEALTH SERVICES, EDUCATION, RECREATION, DISCIPLINE, RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES, AND STAFF. THIRTEEN CASE HISTORIES ILLUSTRATIVE OF TYPICAL PROBLEMS AND PROCEDURES FOUND IN JUVENILES COMMITTED TO INSTITUTIONS ARE INCLUDED. THE REPORT RECOMMENDED THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RECOGNIZE THE CONCEPT OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND THAT THE YOUTHFUL OFFENDER BE DEALT WITH AT A LOCAL LEVEL. AN APPENDIX OUTLINES VARIOUS STATES' LEGISLATION CONCERNING JUVENILE DELINQUENCY.