NCJ Number
149440
Date Published
1994
Length
52 pages
Annotation
This report reviews recent findings regarding juvenile delinquency and their implications for public policy, notes that many of the trends differ sharply from the common view that juvenile delinquency rates are increasing, and offers recommendations for violence reduction through prevention and improved juvenile corrections.
Abstract
According to the Department of Justice, the country's overall violent and nonviolent crime victimization rates have actually declined over the last 20 years. Although the United States has an unacceptably high murder rate, the rates for larceny and household crimes reached an all-time low in 1992, and victimization rates for rape, robbery, and assault are all below those reported 10 years ago. Ninety- four percent of young people who are arrested in the United States are arrested for property crimes and other lesser offenses. Many of today's popular proposals to increase penalties for delinquents are based on the mistaken belief that the juvenile justice system is lenient toward delinquents. However, conviction rates in juvenile courts often surpass those in adult criminal courts, and punishments that juveniles receive are no more lenient and, in some cases, harsher than those for adults. Research has also revealed that certain kinds of interventions are successful with serious and violent juvenile offenders. Finally, a comprehensive violence reduction strategy is needed that includes prevention programs, immediate sanctions, well-structured community-based programs, small secure facilities for the most serious offenders, and sound re-entry and aftercare services. Figures and footnotes