NCJ Number
52777
Editor(s)
A MILLER
Date Published
1977
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS VIDEO CASSETTE FOR GENERAL AUDIENCES OUTLINES THE STATUS-OFFENDER CONCEPT, DISCUSSES THE INJUSTICES AND CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THIS ISSUE, AND SUGGESTS POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES TO THE INCARCERATION OF SUCH JUVENILES.
Abstract
THE ROLE OF THE JUVENILE COURT IN THE TREATMENT OF NONCRIMINAL JUVENILES WITH EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS IS ASSAILED AND IT IS ARGUED THAT STATUS OFFENDERS SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURT IN FAVOR OF SOCIAL SERVICE INTERVENTION. THE TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE FACED BY STATUS OFFENDERS--IN THE COURTS AND IN THE JAILS--IS DOCUMENTED. INSTITUTIONS ARE CHARACTERIZED AS TRAINING ACADEMIES FOR HARDCORE YOUNG-ADULT CRIMINALS. THE PROBLEMS OF FACILITIES AND DETENTION CENTERS ARE UNDERSCORED, PARTICULARLY THE LACK OF PROGRAMS AND THE COSTS OF 'WAREHOUSING' CHILDREN. IN ADDITION TO EXPOSING EXISTING ABUSES, COMMUNITY-BASED ALTERNATIVES TO THE INCARCERATION OF JUVENILE STATUS OFFENDERS ARE PROMOTED, WITH ATTENTION TO JUVENILE SHELTER HOMES IN MARYLAND, STORE-FRONT COUNSELING EFFORTS IN MASSACHUSETTS, AND YOUTH SERVICES BUREAUS IN PENNSYLVANIA. A USER GUIDE OUTLINES PRESENTATION DESIGNS, DISCUSSION TECHNIQUES, STATUS-OFFENDER INFORMATION, AND POTENTIAL AUDIENCES AND USERS. SUGGESTED DISCUSSION QUESTIONS, A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY ON STATUS OFFENDERS, AND A GLOSSARY OF JUVENILE JUSTICE TERMS ARE ALSO PROVIDED. (KBL)