CASE FOR RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF DELINQUENT CHILDREN

• NCJ Number: 14493
• Journal: Juvenile Justice Volume: 25 Issue: 1 Dated: (AMY 1974) Pages: 2-12
• Author(s): R L MANELLA
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 11 pages
• Corporate Author: National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE FACTORS RELATING TO JUVENILE INSTITUTIONS, INDICATING A CONTINUED NEED FOR THE TRAINING INSTITUTIONS, WHILE ADMITTING A SIMULTANEOUS NEED FOR COMMUNITY-BASED JUVENILE CORRECTIONS.

Abstract

THE CONTROVERSY OVER THE ABOLITION OF JUVENILE RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONS IS DISCUSSED, AND THE MANY CONFLICTING REPORTS AND JUDGEMENTS OF CORRECTIONAL AGENCIES AND EXPERTS ON THIS TOPIC ARE INDICATED. THE AUTHOR REBUTS THE ARGUMENT THAT MOST TRAINING SCHOOLS ARE FAILURES, CITING THE LOW PERCENTAGES OF JUVENILE DELINQUENTS WHO BECOME ADULT DELINQUENTS. HE ALSO STATES THAT INADEQUATE TREATMENT, AFTERCARE AND FUNDING, RATHER THAN THE TRAINING INSTITUTIONS ALONE, ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MANY FAILURES. HE CONCEDES THAT MAJOR CHANGES ARE NEEDED IN THE TRAINING SCHOOLS, INCLUDING MORE EMPHASIS ON TREATMENT AND ON THE EDUCATIONAL, RATHER THAN PENAL ASPECTS OF THE INSTITUTIONS. ABRUPT ABOLITION OF THESE FACILITIES IS SEEN AS A DANGER SINCE IT COULD RESULT IN PLACEMENT OF JUVENILES IN ADULT INSTITUTIONS.