Juveniles in the Correctional System
JUVENLILES IN THE CORRECTION SYSTEM
CARDINAL D CASTILLO
CRJ 303
MICHEAL MARINI
6 JUN 2011
JUVENILES IN CORRECTION SYSTEM
Juveniles in this country commit all types of crimes from petty crimes to heinous crimes like murders and aggravated assault. The UCR reveal that juvenile individuals under eighteen were arrested for 1.6 million crimes. (Bartollas & Miller, 2011). Adolescents and young adults have the highest rate of criminal victimization. ( Conklin, 2010). Juvenile court judges have many sentencing choices, such as probation, issuing fines, sending juveniles to correctional I institutions or foster homes, referrals to day treatment or social skills classes, mental health or community service. The harshest treatment a judge may order is commitment to a secure facility. Juvenile residential facilities are similar to prisons for adult’s offenders, holding mainly those youths found delinquent and receiving an order for commitment. Placing delinquents in a residential facility is usually the last resort, because juvenile court judges believe that the most effective interventions come about in the community. Juvenile facilities are similar to adult prisons in that the security must be the primary emphasis in the medium – and higher security facilities. (Seiter, 2011). Juveniles who commit serious crimes and /or who have prior records sometimes find themselves in correctional, akin to adult prisons. Sending a juvenile to prison certainly serves a specific deterrent purpose and might protect society from dangerous individuals. (Worrall, 2008). Spearheaded by the OJJDP, the belief emerged in the 1990s that the most effective strategy for juvenile corrections is to place the thrust of the prevention and diversion emphases on high –risk juveniles who commit violent acts. ( Bartollas & Miller, 2011). Diversion is an attempt to divert, or channel youth offenders from the juvenile justice system. The concept of diversion is based on the
CARDINAL D CASTILLO
CRJ 303
MICHEAL MARINI
6 JUN 2011
JUVENILES IN CORRECTION SYSTEM
Juveniles in this country commit all types of crimes from petty crimes to heinous crimes like murders and aggravated assault. The UCR reveal that juvenile individuals under eighteen were arrested for 1.6 million crimes. (Bartollas & Miller, 2011). Adolescents and young adults have the highest rate of criminal victimization. ( Conklin, 2010). Juvenile court judges have many sentencing choices, such as probation, issuing fines, sending juveniles to correctional I institutions or foster homes, referrals to day treatment or social skills classes, mental health or community service. The harshest treatment a judge may order is commitment to a secure facility. Juvenile residential facilities are similar to prisons for adult’s offenders, holding mainly those youths found delinquent and receiving an order for commitment. Placing delinquents in a residential facility is usually the last resort, because juvenile court judges believe that the most effective interventions come about in the community. Juvenile facilities are similar to adult prisons in that the security must be the primary emphasis in the medium – and higher security facilities. (Seiter, 2011). Juveniles who commit serious crimes and /or who have prior records sometimes find themselves in correctional, akin to adult prisons. Sending a juvenile to prison certainly serves a specific deterrent purpose and might protect society from dangerous individuals. (Worrall, 2008). Spearheaded by the OJJDP, the belief emerged in the 1990s that the most effective strategy for juvenile corrections is to place the thrust of the prevention and diversion emphases on high –risk juveniles who commit violent acts. ( Bartollas & Miller, 2011). Diversion is an attempt to divert, or channel youth offenders from the juvenile justice system. The concept of diversion is based on the
References: Seiter, R.P.( 2011). CORRECTIONS an introduction 3ed. Boston: Prentice Hall. Worall, J.L.(2008).CRIME CONTROL in America 2ed.Boston: Prentice Hall. Bartollas, C. & Miller, S. (2011). JUVENILE JUSTICE in America 6ed. Boston: Prentice Hall. Conklin, J.E. (2010). CRIMINLOGY 10THED.Boston: Prentice Hall. National Center for Juvenile Justice. Retrieved from http://www.ncjj.org OJJPD National Report Series: Juveniles in Corrections. Retrieved from http://www.ncjrs.gov