Mathis 4/24/01 Criminal Justice.
In the mid 1990's about one fifth of all persons arrested for crimes were under 18 years of age. For the most serious crimes, about 30% were juveniles and 13% were under 15 years old. Since 1970 juvenile arrests have increased in every serious crime and female juvenile crime has also risen. Official records indicate that most of juvenile crime is group or gang related. Juvenile gangs are classified as violent, delinquent or social. .
What is causing the causes of juvenile crime? There are different theories that have risen. Children engage in criminal behavior because they were not sufficiently punished for previous crimes committed or have learned criminal behavior from others. Social failure in society tends to be a reason for some children to commit crimes. Many theories believe that children from disadvantaged families also commit more crimes, although children from affluent homes also commit crimes. .
Changes in economy that lead to fewer jobs for young people may be another factor in criminal activity.
Other causes include failure at school, increased availability of drugs and alcohol as well as guns which to tend to increase probability of a child committing a crime although direct cause has not been established. .
There are multiple forms of justice to rehabilitate and treat juveniles. Three methods are community treatment, residential treatment, non-residential treatment, and institutionalization.
In most cases a juvenile is put on probation. They are placed under the supervision of a probation officer and must abide by specific rules.
Residential treatment usually is in a group home where the child undergoes psychological and vocational counseling. Non-residential treatment is where a child remains on their home and goes for treatment at mental health facilities.
Institutionalization is the strongest form of justice. An offender is placed in a secure facility and freedom from the community is denied.