NCJ Number
144169
Journal
Crime and Delinquency Volume: 39 Issue: 3 Dated: special issue (July 1993) Pages: 296-315
Date Published
1993
Length
20 pages
Annotation
Juvenile crime in the People's Republic of China, Chinese youths' fear of crime, Chinese scholars' theories regarding the increase in juvenile delinquency, and the juvenile justice system of China are examined.
Abstract
Although the officially reported incidence of juvenile delinquency in China is significantly lower than that in much of the rest of the world, youthful offenders account for about 75 percent of all criminal cases. Survey data from the Chinese Ministry of Public Security also reveal that juveniles in China have a greater fear of crime than their elders do and are less willing to cooperate with and less trusting of the justice system. National and provincial statistical data also reveal that youthful offenders account for a disproportionate amount of total crime. Chinese scholars generally focus on socialization or economic factors as the main crime causes. However, the data appear to support a structural argument that considers the impact of economic as well as political changes on youth. Most youthful offenders in China are placed in gongdu schools, which are work-study schools. Those released from gongdu schools have an extremely low recidivism rate. 23 references (Author abstract modified)