Chapter 17
Corrections for
Juveniles
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Corrections for Juveniles
 The Problem of Youth Crime
 History of Juvenile Corrections
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Juvenile Corrections: English Antecedents
Juvenile Corrections in the United States
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Differences between Adults and juveniles, in
Perspective
 Why
Treat juveniles and Adults Differently?
 The Problem of Serious Delinquency
 Sanctioning juvenile Offenders
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Overview of Juvenile Justice System
Disposition of Juvenile Offenders
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“parens patriae”
 the
“parent of the country”;
the role of the state as
guardian and protector of all
people (particularly juveniles)
who are unable to protect
themselves
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Evolution of juvenile justice
in America, 1600s - 2000
Crime
Control
Juvenile Rights
1960 - 1980
•In re Gault, 1967
•JJ & Del. Prev. Act, 1974
deinstitutionalize status
offenders
•legalization of juv. law
Juvenile Court
1899 - 1960
•Ill. Juv. Crt, 1899
•separate legal system for
juv’s
•child as “legally
irresponsible”
1980 - 2007
•victim emphasis
•punishment of
serious offenders
•waive serious cases
Refuge Period
1824 - 1899
•NY House of Refuge,
1825 for delinquent &
dependent children
• child as “helpless”
Puritan Period
1646 - 1824
•Mass. Stubborn
Child Law, 1646
•child as “evil”
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Julian W. Mack
 Julian
W. Mack (1866-1943) One of
the foremost innovators in juvenile
justice, Mack presided over Chicago’s
juvenile court from 1904 to 1907. He
believed that the proper work of the court
depended on the judge, supported by
probation officers, caseworkers, and
psychologists. He sought as much as
possible to avoid using reformatories and
tried to bring the expertise of social
service professionals to the courts.
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hallmarks of juvenile court
 informality

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not hindered by legalities of “due process”
judges ran sessions as conversations
exploring needs of child
 individualization

each child is unique and has unique
circumstances, problems, and needs
 intervention
aim not to punish, but to help child become
law-abiding
 identify and solve problems; provide treatment
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“delinquent”
a
child who has committed an act
which, if committed by an adult,
would be criminal
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“neglected”
a
child who is not receiving
proper care because of some
action or inaction of his or her
parents
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“dependent”
a
child who has no parent or
guardian or whose parents are
unable to give proper care
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“In Re: Gault”

watershed Supreme Court case
granting “essential” due process
rights to juveniles facing adjudication
by juvenile court
notice
hearing
counsel
cross-examination
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why treat juveniles differently
 juveniles
are young and may easily change

more susceptible to treatment
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most never get in trouble again
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state acts in partnership w/ family to treat child
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juvenile crime is a group phenomenon
removed from the group, child will behave

easier to get them to isolate & modify behavior
 juveniles
have a high rate of ‘desistance’
 juveniles’
 juveniles
 juveniles
families important to their lives
are easily influenced by peers
have little responsibility for others
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Female Offense proportion
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Juvenile Delinquents in Public
Custodial Facilities
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Characteristics of Youth Who
Belong to a Gang
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% arrests involving juveniles by
crime
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high risk juvenile offenders
factors of concern
 persistent
behavior problems in elementary
school years
 onset of delinquency, aggression, drug use
between 6 & 11
 antisocial parents
 antisocial peers, poor school attendance,
impulsivity, weak social ties between 12-14
 membership in delinquent gangs
 drug dealing
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juvenile offender dispositions
 waiver (to adult court)
 diversion
 correctional programs
 detention
 juvenile probation
 working in the school
 intermediate sanctions
 juvenile community corrections
 juvenile incarceration
 juvenile aftercare
Clear & Cole, American Corrections, 8th