NCJ Number
72689
Editor(s)
D L McCorkle
Date Published
1980
Length
167 pages
Annotation
This report analyzed 1977 data from the Uniform Crime Reports and Pennsylvania sources to describe characteristics of the violent youthful offender in Pennsylvania and discusses both existing and innovative treatment options.
Abstract
Stimulated by a 1979 report on the transfer of juveniles to adult courts in Pennsylvania, this research was undertaken to aid county officials in developing resources to handle youthful violent offenders and to recommend improvement in court processing and treatment programs. For the purposes of the study, a violent delinquent is a child 10 years or older who has been arrested and subsequently adjudicated for murder, rape involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, robbery, kidnapping, arson, or aggravated assault. Statewide statistics drawn from several State agencies on violent juveniles offenders are summarized. According to data from the Pennsylvania Juvenile Court Judges Commission, the typical youth alleged to have committed a violent offense in the State was male, slightly over 15 years old, and was referred to the court by the police department. About two-thirds were first offenders, and for those who reached the dispositional hearing, about two out of three were placed on probation. The results of a client tracking efforts for 282 selected cases are illustrated by tables and four case histories. The report concluded that the ability to identify strengths and weaknesses of a client and to mobilize treatment resources to meet those needs often provided the key to succes or failure in a given situation. Surveys of county juvenile probation officers and court liaison officers concerning their opinions on the handling of violent juvenile offenders are also analyzed. A discussion of innovative programs for juvenile offenders covers residential and nonresidential treatment, as well as community service/restitution approaches. Finally, treatment programs at 9 public and 11 private institutions in Pennsylvania are briefly described. No existing programs deal exclusively with youth convicted of violent offenses. Tracking research indicated that violent offenders assigned to a public institution were less likely to recidivate than those placed on probation or in private facilities. The report suggests that secure facilities for violent juveniles offenders be increased, that an offender tracking plan be developed, and that more training and funds be given to departments which handle violent offenders. Footnotes, a glossary, and tables are provided. The appendixes contain a list of counties in the statistical sample, forms and questionnaires used in the research and information materials for community services/restitution programs.