NCJ Number
98911
Journal
Sociology Volume: 18 Issue: 3 Dated: (August 1984) Pages: 367-381
Date Published
1984
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study compares the offense severity and delinquency backgrounds for 14-16 year-old male and female delinquents given a supervision order (probation) in England and Wales for 1978.
Abstract
The study involved 241 girls and 971 boys. Data were obtained from social inquiry reports and case files to from social inquiry reports and case files to determine offense seriousness, criminal record, and recommendations made by social workers or probation officers. Girl probationers had committed less serious offenses than boy probationers, and girls had fewer previous police contacts. This apparent sexual discrimination in the use of supervision orders may be due to the common view among sentencers and social workers that the supervision order is the primary means for controlling wayward juveniles. Because deviant girls are generally viewed by society as being more atypical than boys who commit minor offenses, it is more likely that probation will be used to supervise wayward girls. The girls receiving probation also tended to have fewer social services recommended than did the boys, coupled with a less clearly defined strategy for dealing with identified problems. This may be because the girls did not have as many obvious needs as the boys or because the supervision of wayward girls is more symbolic than real. Tabular data, 4 notes, and 48 references are provided.