Of the total rate of recidivists, 72% were girls. Those convicted are given dispositions rather than sentenced. Information on race and ethnicity appeared inaccurate. While only 3.94% of the Washington population was African-American, African-American accounted for 13.11% of all recorded juvenile dispositions. This was a disproportionately high rate of 78.07%. Hispanic recidivists had a higher rate of 82.29%. Asian-Pacific Islanders had the lowest rate at 65.08%. Caucasians tallied at 69.23% and had a recidivist rate of 75.14%. First-time offenders were mostly aged 15, and younger than repeat offenders. Girls tended to commit the same violations at a younger age, also around 15, than boys. Juvenile recidivism was recorded highest between 15 and 17 (SGC).
The 11 primary categories of juvenile offenses in Washington courts were assault, drug, gross misdemeanor, manslaughter, misdemeanor, murder, property, robbery, sex, and other felonies (SG, 2008). Gross misdemeanors were the most common type of offense. Property crimes came in second for first-time offenders. These same offenders committed more serious violations previously, like robbery and drug offenses. Gross misdemeanors, misdemeanors and property offenses were also the most commonly committed crimes among juvenile recidivists. Lowest crime rates committed by them were the serious ones, such as murder and sex crimes (SGC).
In some cases, adult criminal courts exercise jurisdiction over violent criminal offenses by those 16 or 17 years old (SGC, 2008). In 2005, about 78 juveniles were automatically referred or declined to adult courts. These adult courts are given this jurisdiction when juvenile courts exercise the discretion to decline that jurisdiction. About 64 discretionary declines were records in 2005. In such cases, juvenile offenders are tried as adults and not processed in juvenile courts (SGC).
Reducing juvenile recidivism has clear advantages. It will promote public safety and eliminate or reduce social, economic and personal costs (Wilson, 2007). Would-be recidivists will become economic assets to the community. Governments can save or direct saved expenses from recidivism programs to the needs of other sectors, such as education. And a reduced rate will communicate the government's concern for the welfare of adolescents and prisoners (Wilson).
Current solutions to the problem include government-sponsored programs and non-profit programs (Wilson, 2007). Government-sponsored programs conduct general programs and residential programs, provide multi-systemic therapy or MST, and perform community supervision. Examples of non-profit programs are the Children's Defense Fund, Street Law Reentry Program, and the Andrew Glover Youth Foundation. These programs have not reduced juvenile recidivism in a nationwide scale. The national rate has remained the same for the last two decades. Policy reforms are needed to avoid detaining juveniles unless absolutely necessary; restrict the transfer of juvenile cases to adult criminal courts; and stop Medicaid from requiring juvenile recidivists to reapply for services (Wilson).
A study found the Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale or CAFAS as a significant tool in the rehabilitation of juvenile offenders (Quist & Matshazi, 2000). CAFAS is a mental health assessment tool, which can predict recidivism among young violators. In a test, it was compared with other factors insensitive to rehabilitation, such as age, ethnicity, sex and the number of previous offenses. Higher scores predicted future offenses. Policy makers should use it to improve the allocation of resources. Both clinical and actuarial decision-making models have been used in studying adult recidivism. Clinically, a parole or probation officer uses personal past experience in dealing with offenders. The actuarial model has been found superior to the clinical model (Quist & Matshazi).
Although high CAFAS scores indicate higher probability of future offenses, low scores do not guarantee that re-offense would not be committed (Quist & Matshazi, 2000). Experts recommend a score of 60 as the minimum in determining which minors were higher risks than others. In addition, probation officers and judges make the primary decisions over juvenile offenders. This study points to mental health assessment techniques as useful and effective in targeting at-risk youth offenders. Consequent sharing of information with program developers and implementers will likely bring about accurate decisions in addressing the needs of juvenile offenders (Quist & Matshazi).
Even the most difficult and chronic released juvenile offenders can be helped by a long-term residential approach under the right conditions McMackin et al., 2004). This was the finding of an investigation undertaken with 162 delinquent youth who were discharged from a Massachusetts residential treatment center between 1976 and 1995. The research team used the data provided by the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services. These data said that a stay...
Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative Innumerable advancements and innovations have profoundly contributed to the betterment of the lives of the human race in the twenty first century. This trend of progression is surging ahead at a rapid pace; however, it is very unfortunate to declare that many of the social dilemmas also exist in this industrialized world that is making millions of residents suffer from its drastic outcomes. While taking the country
Following an investigations there were findings that certain violations were evident and specifically those relating to failure to protect confined juveniles from harm; failure to address incidences of youth violence due to inadequate supervision; failure to protect juveniles confined from participation in sexual activity; and excessive use of physical force, among other serious violations all clearly in violation of professional standards and conduct. Discussion The interview in this work in combination with
Most boys stay fourteen days or less. Some are held while they are waiting for a bed in a treatment center. Some boys are bailed out by their parents and in other cases they are released by the judge. It depends on several factors, including the age of the offender, the level of crime, and whether it is a first or repeat offense. Eighty percent of cases do not
Juvenile Detention Standards Juvenile Delinquency Identification The article by Livers & Kehoe (2012) is quite contemporary and that is one of the main themes of the article. The subject of their research lies in the standards of juvenile detention centers and facilities. They focus upon the history of corrections, the history of juvenile corrections, and the history of the standards of juvenile corrections. In American history, the history of juvenile corrections begins in
And since those who are forced into detention are disproportionately African-American, the problems caused by the detention of juveniles is particularly acute in the African-American community. The effects of detention have been researched and discovered to be detrimental to the safety and mental health of the juvenile, as well as increase the chance of recidivism. Therefore, any solution to the problem of juvenile detention will be proportionately beneficial to
new juvenile detention center, if given unlimited financial resources. It first examines the main purpose, and location of the facility, and then turns to how the facility would deal with resident problems with socialization, education, and correctional components. Finally, budgeting and staff elements are examined, with a need to create measures for evaluation to later test facility efficiency. Unfortunately, juvenile crime is becoming more and more of an issue here
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