NCJ Number
111996
Journal
British Journal of Social Work Volume: 14 Dated: (1984) Pages: 361-378
Date Published
1984
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This paper examines the contents and format of 100 social inquiry reports in one juvenile court over a 6-month period to discern what material from them is presented to magistrates, and the effect their recommendations have upon the lives of young people appearing in that court.
Abstract
The effect that concepts of 'welfare' and 'justice' have upon the recommendations of these reports, and differences that exist in the reports presented by probation and social services also are examined. Of the 100 reports, 87 dealt with male offenders and 3 with female; 23 were child offenders age 10 to under 14, and 7 were age 14 to under 17. It is argued that it is time to reassess the current role of treatment in the juvenile justice system, in terms of this and other recent research, and to separate more clearly the components of welfare and justice within this system. Findings indicate that there is a pressing need for a revision in the presentation of social inquiry reports to the court, as no consistent standard of information is being offered. Tabular data and 34 references. (Author abstract modified)