Dr. Tim Griffin further articulates, "Relationships created within the rehabilitation process will oftentimes last a lifetime. The current rehabilitation model employs a combination of family encouragement and mentorship. These relationships help juveniles build their self-esteem and shift the scope of their life vision" (Griffin, 2007). A rehabilitative model improves the ability of juveniles to escape their current life of crime and find motivation and inspiration to lead a new life. Putting these same juveniles on "lock down" will only have further negative consequences and promote a greater cycle of violence and crime.
Empirical evidence also supports the use of the current judiciary model. Although numerous statistics have shown the rise of repeat juvenile offenders, these statistics have any implicit assumptions and data fallacies. Primarily, the majority of juveniles who repeat their criminal process are part of organized crime as well as drug syndicates. However, an examination of full rehabilitation systems for juveniles shows a dramatically different result. The San Diego Juvenile penal system employs a complete rehabilitative process, within their system they assign mentors to each individual, and subject them to both public works as well as mandatory educational curriculums. Statistics from this program show that only 8% of juveniles repeat criminal activity following this process, and an overwhelming 56% go on to receive either a high school diploma or equivalent GED (Matthews, 2007). This case study shows that effectiveness of juvenile rehabilitation at a fundamental level. Juveniles are individuals who have not fully grown to a level of maturity where they understand and appreciate the full implications of their crimes. With a rehabilitation model, these individuals can not only learn to improve themselves to not continue the cycle of violence but also increase their ability to better assimilate into society.
At the same time, empirical analysis shows the fallacy of retributive justice. Juvenile systems which promote the escalation of retribution have historically...
The reason behind their fallacy is that it promotes resentment for the social establishment and promotes the integration of greater criminal activity. Prisons are an ideal environment for juveniles to meet others who also engage in criminal activity. When they are treated to a retributive system, these individuals feel much more kindred spirits with other juvenile offenders; this becomes a breeding ground for further criminal activity. Caroline DeBrover explains, "Retributive justice at a fundamental social level has no efficacy, it is in fact counter-intuitive. It promotes greater resiliency among criminals to continue their lifestyle rather than seek positive change" (DeBrover, 2005). Retributive justice will ultimately result in even more crime because it makes juveniles harbor a lifetime of hate towards society. Meanwhile, a rehabilitative system promotes and appreciate for these individuals and creates a greater ability to change them into valuable members of society, therefore this is the ideal model for the current judiciary system.
Thomas, Matthew. "Keeping Control While Reaching for Rehabilitation: Juvenile Hall Culture" Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Criminology, Royal York, Toronto <
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DeBrovner, Caroline. "I Know Why You Wanted Me to Read This Book." Bibliotheraphy as a Tool of Intervention and Rehabilitation with Juveniles" Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Criminology, Royal York, Toronto, 2005-11-15 <
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Rees, Carter. And Freng, Adrienne. "Juvenile Case Processing: Where Have All the Juveniles Gone?" Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Criminology, Royal York, Toronto <
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Griffin, Tim., Barthe, Emmanuel. And Weicko, Fil. "Predictors of Juvenile Case Processing Outcomes" Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Criminology, Royal York, Toronto <
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