NCJ Number
166816
Date Published
1997
Length
257 pages
Annotation
This analysis of juvenile justice and trends in juvenile delinquency concludes that the juvenile contributions to violence in the United States are small; that a significant increase has not occurred, except for homicides; and that recent changes in juvenile justice policies have had negative consequences and should be modified.
Abstract
The book's first section analyzes the history and current status of the juvenile justice system and youth violence in the United States. It reviews the origins and evolution of the juvenile justice system, current juvenile justice policies, trends in youth violence and society's response to it, and the impacts of the transfer of adolescents to the criminal justice system and confinement in adult prisons. The book's section proposes modifications in United States policies regarding juvenile delinquency. It reviews current knowledge of youth gang homicides and drug trafficking, suggests the need for a clearer understanding of risk factors for youth violence, and presents developmental criminology as a methodology for improving understanding of violence. A comprehensive strategy is recommended for developing more effective juvenile delinquency and violence prevention programs, achieving a better match between offender characteristics and treatment programs, and developing a more cost-effective juvenile justice system. Tables, figures, index, appended details of the proposed strategy, and approximately 1,000 references