WASHINGTON - RESPONDING TO THE YOUTHFUL OFFENDER - AN OVERVIEW AND CRITIQUE OF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE AND CORRECTION SYSTEM

• NCJ Number: 44380
• Author(s): B NAON
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 46 pages
• Corporate Author: Washington House of Representatives
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS PAPER ASSESSES SOCIETY'S RESPONSE TO JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND JUVENILE CRIME, AND PROPOSES A RESTRUCTURING OF THOSE INSTITUTIONS INVOLVED IN SUCH EFFORTS.

Abstract

THE IDEAS DEVELOPED IN THIS PAPER REFLECT THE BASIC ASSUMPTION THAT THE PROBLEM OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY CAN BEST BE DEALT WITH AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL. INCORPORATED INTO ANY SYSTEM DEALING WITH DELINQUENCY AND CRIME ARE THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS: (1) THE SYSTEM MUST BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR ITS ACTIVITIES; (2) JUVENILE OFFENDERS SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS; AND (3) SYSTEM ELEMENTS SHOULD HAVE A CLEAR SENSE OF PURPOSE. THE AUTHOR NOTES THAT THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM IS LACKING IN THESE AREAS AND PROPOSES A REVISED SYSTEM. THE MODEL IS BASED ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT ANY HOPE FOR SUCCESS IN THE AREA OF DELINQUENCY PREVENTION AND TREATMENT RESTS IN THE COMMUNITY AND, EXCEPT FOR REASONS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, NO JUVENILE OFFENDER SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE COMMUNITY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED).