HOMOGENIZATION PROCESS WITHIN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM

• NCJ Number: 15390
• Author(s): C H NEWTON; R G SHELDON; S W JENKINS
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 23 pages
• Corporate Author: Memphis State University
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

ARGUMENT THAT A FILTRATION PROCESS AT EACH STAGE OF JUVENILE PROCESSING PRODUCES A PREDICTABLE, HOMOGENEOUS, 'RESIDUAL' CATEGORY OF LOWER CLASS, MINORITY YOUTHS WHO END UP BEING CONFINED TO YOUTH CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.

Abstract

THE AUTHORS SUGGEST THAT THE OUTCOME OF ANY JUVENILE CASE IS INFLUENCED BY THE COURTS PHILOSOPHY OF FOCUSING ON THE 'LIFE SITUATION' OF THE YOUTH, RATHER THAN ONLY ON THE DETERMINATION OF GUILT OR INNOCENCE. THEY LIKEWISE CONTEND THAT THERE IS A BUILT-IN, INSTITUTIONALIZED RACISM AND CULTURAL BIAS WHICH ASSESSES LOWER CLASS, MINORITY YOUTHS AS MORE LIKELY TO BECOME DELINQUENTS AND ADULT CRIMINALS. AN OUTCOME MODEL IS PRESENTED WHICH DEPICTS HOW A GROUP OF YOUTH (MOSTLY MIDDLE-CLASS WHITES) ARE SIPHONED OFF AT EACH STAGE OF JUVENILE COURT PROCEEDINGS INTO VARIOUS COMMUNITY RESOURCES - PARENTS OR RELATIVES, WELFARE AGENCIES, FOSTER HOMES, ETC. THE MOST IMPORTANT CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING WHAT ALTERNATIVES ARE AVAILABLE TO A YOUTH ARE THE YOUTH'S RACE, SOCIAL CLASS, ATTITUDE, AND RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY. OTHER FACTORS INCLUDE THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE OFFENSE AND THE AVAILABILITY OF ALTERNATIVE COMMUNITY RESOURCES.