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Juvenile Justice: Where Have We Been, Where Are We Going?

NCJ Number
166475
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 58 Issue: 2 Dated: (April 1996) Pages: 162,164,166,168-173
Editor(s)
K Olsson
Date Published
1996
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Teleconference interviews with five juvenile justice professionals assess the current status of juvenile justice as well as its future.
Abstract
The teleconference involved John Wilson, deputy administrator, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; Louis McHardy, executive director, National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges; Linda Albrecht, president, National Association of Juvenile Correctional Agencies; Geno Natalucci-Persichetti, president, Council of Juvenile Correctional Administrators; and Gale Smith, executive director, Juvenile Justice Trainers Association. The teleconference was moderated by Managing Editor Kurt Olsson. Participants were first asked why the general public, media, and Federal and State governments view the juvenile justice system as being ineffective. Responses indicate that if this is in fact the view of these constituencies, it is a combination of inadequate communication about the successes in juvenile justice and the failure of governments to provide the resources needed for the development and maintenance of programs and services research has shown to be effective for juveniles. A number of the participants note that the institutions of American society, particularly the family, are not producing youth whose behavior is based in and expresses positive and responsible values. Not only do youth lack a firm set of values, but violent youth have often been physically and sexually abused by parents and caretakers. It is therefore unrealistic to expect that the juvenile justice system can compensate for the failure of American society to socialize a significant percentage of its youth. The participants advise that the juvenile justice system will be most effective when it uses risk and needs assessment instruments that identify the needs of each youth, followed by the application of a comprehensive and proven battery of programs and services tailored to the needs of each youth. In the course of this process, public safety must also be taken into account. When asked about the future of the juvenile justice system, the participants agree that the need to develop special programs and facilities for juveniles will continue to exist, even if these programs are placed in the arena of the adult criminal justice system.