Youth Crime and Its Prevention: A Research Agenda (From Juvenile Justice and Public Policy: Toward a National Agenda, 1992, P 1-19, Ira M Schwartz, ed. -- See NCJ-138726)

• NCJ Number: 138727
• Author(s): B Krisberg
• Date Published: 1992
• Length: 19 pages
• Sale Source: Macmillan
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter reviews current data sources on delinquency trends, examines data on the major correlates of delinquency, describes the shortcomings of the existing knowledge base, and offers a remedial research agenda.

Abstract

The author concludes that American policies for delinquency prevention and control have not been built on a sound foundation of empirical knowledge. Limitations in existing data on youth crime trends and the virtual absence of rigorous research on prevention programs have handicapped efforts, such that most programs and policies designed to combat youth crime have failed. Policymakers have often persisted with punitive deterrence strategies, although evidence to support such strategies is either lacking or negative. The renewed interest in delinquency prevention will require better data and more creative thinking about the causes and correlates of youth crime. Improved information on youth crime will require new data collection, especially the refinement of self-report methods. Current data must be enhanced through qualitative research strategies such as analytic biographies of youthful offenders and ethnographic research, and future research must be more closely tied to theory development and testing. Funding agencies that support prevention programs should mandate rigorous and thorough evaluations, which must be replicated before the program is widely applied. Delinquency research and prevention practice should revisit the concept of delinquent areas and examine the contemporary relationships of social disorganization to chronic youth crime. 6 notes and 52 references