NCJ Number
75328
Journal
Children and Youth Services Review Volume: 2 Issue: 3 Dated: (1980) Pages: complete issue
Editor(s)
D Lindsey
Date Published
1981
Length
130 pages
Annotation
Five articles considering various aspects of juvenile delinquency, treatment programs for juvenile offenders, and special subgroups such as status offenders, gifted delinquents, and suicidal youth are presented.
Abstract
The first article in this collection reviews the treatment of status offenders, the effect of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 on their treatment, and challenges to status offense laws. Recommendations for Federal and local policy and program activities are given. Community-based programming and removal of status offenses from the juvenile justice system are recommended. The author of the second article provides a counterpoint to this programming recommendation. An analysis of the psychosocial development of 802 institutionalized youth is reported which indicates that the type of residential treatment program provided has an important effect on results. Programs focusing on independent functioning and staff consistency and encouragement are most effective. The third article reports the evaluation of a program for upgrading the educational and employability skills of young offenders. The program was successful in providing skills necessary to pass the GED test and to obtain jobs. Two views of delinquency among gifted youth are reviewed in the fourth article. One view holds that gifted youth are less likely to deal constructively with negative environments and are more likely to become delinquent. The other view considers the gifted youth less likely to deal constructively with negative environments and are more likely to become delinquent. The other view considers the gifted less likely to perform deliquent acts because they appreciate the consequences of behavior. Suicide among adolescents is the subject of the final article. Common among adolescents in general, this act is more prevalent in juvenile institutions due to conditions and the nature of the population. Staff should remain accessible to these youth and programs should emphasize individual growth and appreciation for other persons. References are included after each chapter.