NCJ Number
61299
Date Published
Unknown
Length
34 pages
Annotation
THE SCOPE AND CAUSES OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY, PREVENTION MEASURES, AND JUVENILE JUSTICE PROCEDURES ARE EXAMINED BY THE U.S. NATIONAL COMMISSION ON THE CAUSES AND PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE.
Abstract
SOCIETY'S EFFORTS TO CONTROL AND COMBAT DELINQUENCY, PARTICULARLY IN URBAN AREAS, SHOULD (1) PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN FULFILLING LEGITIMATE ACTIVITIES, (2) OPERATE AN EFFECTIVE AND FAIR JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND (3) PROVIDE SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR HIGH-RISK JUVENILES. AREAS FOR DEVELOPMENT THAT PROVIDE THE FOUNDATION FOR LAW-ABIDING BEHAVIOR INCLUDE EDUCATION, RECREATION, EMPLOYMENT, AND FAMILY LIFE. PROGRESS IN THESE AREAS CAN ONLY OCCUR WITH THE COMPARATIVE QUALITY BETWEEN SCHOOLS IN THE SLUMS AND SCHOOLS ELSEWHERE, THE ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION AND ARBITRARY OR UNNECESSARY RESTRICTIONS FROM EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES, THE AVAILABILITY OF JOB TRAINING, THE RECLAMATION OF PHYSICAL SURROUNDINGS FROM DETERIORATION AND BARRENNESS, AND THE EXERCISE OF CITIZENS' RIGHTS WITHOUT REGARD TO CREED OR RACE. THE PURSUIT OF THESE GOALS IS NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THE NEED TO STRENGTHEN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. THOROUGH INVESTIGATION, SWIFT APPREHENSION, AND PROMPT DISPOSITION, CARRIED OUT BY PERSONS CAREFULLY SELECTED AND TRAINED FOR THEIR FUNCTIONS, SHOULD MAXIMIZE THE JUVENILE SYSTEM'S DETERRENT IMPACT AND THE RESPECT ACCORDED THE LAW IT UPHOLDS. FOR PROBLEM YOUTHS, IT IS IMPERATIVE TO FURNISH HELP THAT IS SPECIALIZED ENOUGH TO DEAL WITH THEIR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS BUT DOES NOT SEPARATE THEM FROM THEIR PEERS AND LABEL THEM FOR LIFE. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACCOMPLISHING THESE GOALS ARE OFFERED AND A PROPOSED JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM CHART IS PRESENTED. (RCB)