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SPECIAL PROBLEMS OF THE FEMALE OFFENDER

NCJ Number
52451
Journal
Juvenile Justice Volume: 28 Issue: 3 Dated: (AUGUST 1977) Pages: 3-10
Author(s)
N H JOHNSON
Date Published
1977
Length
8 pages
Annotation
STATISTICS DETAILING THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER AND THE SERIOUSNESS OF OFFENSES COMMITTED BY FEMALES ARE GIVEN. THE RELUCTANCE OF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM TO FACE THE PROBLEM OF THE FEMALE OFFENDER IS DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE STATISTICS SHOW THAT IN THE EARLY 1900'S ONE FEMALE JUVENILE OFFENDER WAS ARRESTED FOR EVERY 50 MALE OFFENDERS. BY 1972 IT WAS ONE FOR EVERY FOUR AND BY 1973 IT WAS ONE FOR EVERY THREE. AN ALARMING CHANGE HAS OCCURRED IN THE TYPES OF OFFENSES. INSTEAD OF BEING ARRESTED FOR PROSTITUTION OR PETTY LARCENY, FEMALES ARE BEING ARRESTED FOR MURDER, POSSESSION OF WEAPONS, ROBBERY, LARCENY, AND POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY. A FEW STUDIES OF SELF-REPORTED DELINQUENCY HAVE FOUND THAT THE PROPORTION OF CRIMES COMMITTED BY GIRLS MAY BE EVEN HIGHER THAN OFFICIAL STATISTICS REVEAL. THE STEREOTYPED THINKING WHICH LEADS POLICE, PROBATION OFFICERS, AND COURTS INTO DETAINING GIRLS MOSTLY FOR STATUS OFFENSES WHILE CONSIDERING ONLY SERIOUS DELINQUENCY REASON ENOUGH FOR DETENTION FOR BOYS IS REVIEWED. THE LACK OF TREATMENT ALTERNATIVES FOR GIRLS IS ALSO DECRIED. MOST STATES HAVE ONE CENTRAL STATE TRAINING SCHOOL AND LITTLE MEANINGFUL VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IS OFFERED. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT GIRLS HAVE THE SAME ECONOMIC PRSSURES AS BOYS AND THAT OFTEN THESE ECONOMIC PRESSURES IMPEL THEM INTO CRIME. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT JUDGES ATTEMPT TO WORK WITH OTHER GROUPS TO ENCOURAGE MORE GROUP FOSTER HOMES AND TRAINING ALTERNATIVES. IT IS ALSO SUGGESTED THAT JUDGES TREAT FEMALE OFFENDERS JUST AS THEY TREAT MALE OFFENDERS--PUTTING LESS EMPHASIS ON SEXUAL ACTIVITY AND MORE ON THE SALIENT FACTS OF THE CRIME ITSELF. AN EXTENSIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY IS APPENDED. (GLR)