NCJ Number
69629
Date Published
1979
Length
32 pages
Annotation
Written in preparation for expert witness testimony for the West Virginia Supreme Court on December 17, 1979, this paper discusses six questions relating to the effects of incarceration on juveniles.
Abstract
Specific issues cover the potential and likely sociopsychological effects of detention on a 12-year old child, the conditions under which a child should, if ever, be detained, including acts that would justify detention; any special and harmful effects on the child from detention in isolation in a common county jail with adults or with older children; and the effects on probation officers, police, welfare workers, religious leaders, school officials, and teachers, of the knowledge that a child has been detained in a secure jail or detention center. Also considered are the questions of whether pretrial detention would have any effect on the latter course of judicial proceedings and what the likelihood of a young child's rehabilitation would be who, for a first offense, was committed to a secure institution with a population of older, tougher, failing juveniles. Detailed research on these topics reveals that such detention breeds alienation, continuing delinquency, and psychological problems which can result in suicide or violence. Almost all authorities on juvenile delinquency recommend against detention unless absolutely necessary labeling a child delinquent reaffirms the child's poor self-image. Most delinquents seem to grow out of their inclination to disrupt the community as they get older. A total of 53 reference notes are included.