NCJ Number
67710
Journal
Monatsschrift fuer Kriminologie und Strafrechtsreform Volume: 61 Issue: 2 Dated: (APRIL 1978) Pages: 79-94
Date Published
1978
Length
16 pages
Annotation
SPECIAL PROBLEMS OF YOUNG ADULT OFFENDERS IN WEST GERMANY, THE EXTENT OF THEIR CRIME INVOLVEMENT, THE LEGAL ASPECTS OF THEIR PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION, AND RECOMMENDED THERAPEUTIC MEASURES ARE OUTLINED.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH ADOLESCENCE INVOLVES TWO STAGES (I.E., 1) PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL MATURATION, AND 2) PSYCHOSOCIAL MATURATION AND ADJUSTMENT TO ADULT STATUS), THE LENGTH OF TIME REQUIRED FOR BOTH PROCESSES VARIES, SO THAT DETERMINING AN OFFICIAL AGE FOR COMPLETED MATURITY IS DIFFICULT. TYPICAL PROBLEMS OF ADOLESCENCE AND YOUNG ADULTHOOD ARE MANIFOLD. PHYSICAL CHANGES REQUIRE MODIFICATIONS IN THE ATTITUDES OF BOTH THE YOUNG INDIVIDUALS THEMSELVES AND OF THE PERSONS AROUND THEM. THE JUVENILES' DEVELOPMENT OF SEPARATE IDENTITIES, CAUSES CONFLICTS WITH AUTHORITY IN THE FAMILY AND SOCIETY. ADJUSTMENT TO SEXUAL MATURITY, AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS SUCH AS DISINTEGRATING TRADITIONS, RAPID SOCIAL CHANGE, THE COMPLEX SOCIAL DEMANDS HAVE DISORIENTED EFFECTS ON ADOLESCENTS. MOREOVER, THERE IS DISCREPANCY BETWEEN THE EDUCATIONAL EMPHASIS ON RESPONSIBILITY AND THE DELAY WITH WHICH YOUNG ADULTS ARE ACTUALLY ENTRUSTED WITH RESPONSIBILITY. JUVENILE AND ADULT CRIME RATES HAVE INCREASED CONSIDERABLY IN RECENT YEARS, ESPECIALLY FOR OFFENSES COMMON IN ADOLESCENCE, I.E., VANDALISM, INTENTIONAL PHYSICAL INJURY, DRUG OFFENSES, AND TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS. HIGH-RISK GROUPS INCLUDE UNEMPLOYED YOUTHS, SOLDIERS, THE CHILDREN OF FOREIGN WORKERS AND MARGINAL GROUPS, MENTALLY ILL INDIVIDUALS, DRUG ADDICTS, SOCIAL DEGENERATES, AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH PERSONALITY DISTURBANCES. PROBLEMS FACING PSYCHIATRIC AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EXPERTS IN ASSESSING YOUNG OFFENDERS' PERSONALITIES FOR THE PROPER REHABILITATION MEASURES ARE EVALUATING MATURITY ACCORDING TO EXISTING LAW, WEIGHING SUBJECTIVE PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS, AND ESTIMATING THE DYNAMICS OF INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF DESTRUCTIVE INCLINATIONS. REHABILITATION MEASURES ENCOMPASS MEDICAL TREATMENT COMBINED WITH EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS, SPECIAL PEDAGOGICAL APPROACHES AND SPECIAL PROBATIONARY RELEASE. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOUNG ADULTS BE TREATED AS JUVENILES, THAT EDUCATIONAL MEASURES FOR REHABILITATION BE USED MORE FREQUENTLY, THAT THE NUMBER OF JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICERS, SOCIAL WORKERS, AND COURT ASSISTANTS BE INCREASED, AND THAT JUVENILE JUDGES BE TRAINED IN DISCIPLINES SUCH AS PEDAGOGY, PSYCHOLOGY, AND PSYCHIATRY. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS SUPPLIED. --IN GERMAN. (KMD)