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Abstract
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Issues related to dealing with the serious juvenile offender are dis cussed in terms of the deinstitutionalization of juvenile offenders. It is argued that "serious offender," as a concept, lacks empirical pre cision ; the designation "violent offender" is offered in its place. Pro gramming for the violent offender within a community-based system is discussed.
VioLit summary:
OBJECTIVE:
The aim of this paper by Coates was to discuss a number of policy issues concerning deinstitutionalization and the serious juvenile offender.
METHODOLOGY:
The author employed a non-experimental exploratory design in his examination of arguments for and against the policy and practice of deinstitutionalization, whilst providing a definition of the serious offender and a description of alternative methods of dealing with this population.
FINDINGS/DISCUSSION:
Contemporary belief holds that the practice of deinstitutionalization of the juvenile offender is no longer the preferred method of treatment. However, several states are witnessing a growth in the popularity of this policy, leaving the nation in the grips of two divergent trends - tougher penalties, especially for serious offenders, as well as deinstitutionalization directed at the more minor offenders. Proponents of both trends are concerned with issues of community protection, punishment and deterrence. Those who advocate institutional care regard the locking up of offenders as the safest and most certain method for protecting the community, whilst punishing the offender and providing deterrence form further crime. For advocates of community care, the youth should be in the least restrictive environment possible, with a focus upon a return to the community. Heated debate exists between the two factions concerning issues of treatment of the serious offender. The word 'serious' lacks precision, and causes problems of how the handle such a person. A more appropriate term might be 'violent' or 'dangerous', to define those juveniles who have committed at least two acts of physical violence upon others.
AUTHOR'S RECOMMENDATIONS:
The author believed that discretion on the part of the courts should remain, in order to allow consideration of individual cases. For the violent youth, who will eventually return to the community, appropriate treatment should involve preparation for the return in a secure setting. The facility could offer high security, but without the environment of a prison - small, house-like residences with a high ratio of staff to youth. Programs should be tailored to fit the situation of each individual offender, with a consideration of the resources available to the youth within the community, and the provision of educational or vocational training that would be useful to the particular person. In order to maintain control within the facility, a system of reward and responsibility should be established so that each individual can actively participate in decisions that affect daily life. Professional services and support must also be provided after the offender has been returned to the community, including training of members in the individual's support network in methods of effective and useful supporting skills. Each correctional facility must monitor the quality of its programs, in order to insure that the juvenile offender is receiving the best possible chance of returning to a normal, productive life within the community. The author concluded that rehabilitative programs must help to strengthen the individual's ties to the social networks that promote nonviolent and legitimate behavior and attitudes.
EVALUATION:
This report provides an interesting and valuable examination of some of the issues surrounding the violent offender. The author's suggestions for alternative methods of treatment and care are vital for this field, as traditional methods of locking up as punishment do not seem to have been successful. Perhaps the implementation of some of the author's ideas might help to prepare the juvenile offender for a more successful return to the community. (CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado)
KW - Juvenile Correctional Institution
KW - Correctional Decision Making
KW - Incarcerated
KW - Juvenile Inmate
KW - Juvenile Offender
KW - Juvenile Violence
KW - Juvenile Justice System
KW - Deinstitutionalization
KW - Policy Recommendations
Language: en |