New Possibilities for Juvenile Justice

This book has three enlightening sections regarding juvenile recidivism, administrative services, and treatment methodologies. The first section is based on research, studies, and analyses of the social characteristics of forty randomly selected juvenile recidivists referred to the juvenile court over a ten-year period. This study explores and analyzes the respective families, neighborhoods, schools, grade levels, religious affiliations, socioeconomic statuses, mental health conditions, and the types and numbers of legal offenses that were committed by the repeat offenders. This study establishes a pattern and identifying social factors relating to causal factors contributing to their repetitious offensive acts and violations of the law. There are clearly predictive factors for juvenile repeat offenders that can be used to predict, control, prevent, control, and significantly reduce juvenile offenses and recidivism.

The second section of this book explores essentials for effective administration for juvenile courts and other social service agencies in the community. All agencies—and especially, human service agencies—must be administratively and operationally healthy. They must not contribute to the demoralization of the staff, who already face low morale challenges in treating and serving clients who are associated with substantial depressive pathologies. Specific personnel standards, policies, and procedures are vital to optimize the effectiveness of the service-providing staff. There are certain training essentials and requirements that center on competence, morality, professionalism, and ethical standards that must be enforced in order to maintain an efficient, functional, healthy, and safe work environment. If the service-providing staff are not trained and treated well, it is doubtful that they can serve and treat their clients well. Treatment providers must be protected from administrative persecution and incompetence, especially when they have the responsibility to protect and restore their clients to health and stability. Intimidation, threats, and unsafe work environments retard and inhabit productivity.

The third section of New Possibilities for Juvenile Justice enumerates a comprehensive list of factors associated with youth problems, failures in school, delinquent acts, and law violations. The list is based on seasoned, experienced, and knowledgeable probation officers with decades of training and experience. Also, the third section of this book provides an exploration and understanding of the ongoing cultural crisis and the serious adverse impact this crisis is having on America, its people, and its institutions. The social problems, reinforced by new ideologies and technology, appear to be increasing more rapidly than answers and solutions to solve them. Transforming American youth into positive, law-abiding, healthy, and productive citizens is possible if the responsible, patriotic, and enlightened leadership will utilize the artistic, scientific, ethical, and transformative knowledge that is available. The information contained in this volume can be a significant beginning in that process of directions for youth transformation.