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Predisposition Report, Decision-Making and Juvenile Court Policy

NCJ Number
152921
Journal
Juvenile and Family Court Journal Volume: 45 Issue: 4 Dated: (1994) Pages: 47-57
Author(s)
J W Rogers; J D Williams
Date Published
1994
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study explored the decisionmaking process that led to the institutional placement of juveniles; the sample included 81 juvenile court cases during the 1979-1984 period in which boys were sent to State training schools.
Abstract
Over 70 indicators from the case histories of 162 male juvenile delinquents were examined, 81 institutionalized and 81 noninstitutionalized cases. Study findings supported the use of a rehabilitation/developmental framework for male juvenile delinquents. A growth-centered strategy was relevant to whether males were incarcerated in State training schools or successfully terminated their supervision under the juvenile court. Study results also demonstrated the importance of social-psychological influences. Implications of the findings for juvenile court judges, juvenile probation officers, and related specialists such as psychiatrists are discussed. The authors suggest that juvenile rehabilitation and reintegration should not be abandoned and that closed juvenile cases, including predisposition reports, subsequent developments, and outcomes, be used to improve juvenile court policies. 65 references, 2 notes, and 1 table