NCJ Number
187357
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 32 Issue: 3 Dated: 2001 Pages: 53-61
Editor(s)
Nathaniel J. Pallone Ph.D.
Date Published
2001
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article addresses the impact or effectiveness of the juvenile court on subsequent adult criminal behavior through responses given by adult inmates about their perceptions of the juvenile justice system.
Abstract
Although some studies have investigated the perceptions of various groups concerning the juvenile justice system, little research has examined the views of prison inmates regarding this system. Since many adult offenders had contact with the juvenile justice system, or personally know those who did, their experiences should influence their perceptions. It is viewed that their views could shed some light on the direction that the juvenile justice system might take for the future. This study surveyed 116 inmates currently incarcerated in a State prison system. The inmates completed a 20-item questionnaire addressing the following areas: (1) how helpful the juvenile justice system was to them personally; (2) the effectiveness of the juvenile justice system in deterring other juveniles; (3) what the juvenile justice system could have done to prevent them from committing further crimes; and (4) how the juvenile justice system could be improved to become more effective. Findings indicated that the majority of the offenders who had been adjudicated reported that the juvenile justice system was not particularly helpful to them personally. The group as a whole felt that the system was not effective in deterring other juveniles. Bibliography