NCJ Number
87175
Date Published
1982
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study examines the relationship between juvenile population shifts in Massachusetts' counties and juvenile arraignment shifts for the period 1940-80 in order to shed light on longitudinal trends in juvenile crime and provide a possible explanation for them.
Abstract
It appears that the population increase after World War II has been related to the subsequent upsurge in juvenile crime during the last two decades. The Massachusetts juvenile population increased through 1970 but began to decline between 1970-80. Similarly, the volume of juvenile arraignments increased steadily from 1940-70 but also began to decline in the next decade. With the lower birth rate, data suggest that the trend toward reduced juvenile arraignments may continue. Thus, population shifts in individual cities and towns should be monitored as an increased birth rate may produce a resurgence in juvenile crime a few years from now. Study data and 13 references are appended. (Author summary modified)