NCJ Number
14917
Date Published
1974
Length
190 pages
Annotation
NARRATIVE ACCOUNT OF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, DETAILING THE INJUSTICES AND ABUSES IN THE SYSTEM THROUGH A PRESENTATION OF NUMEROUS COURT CASES INITIATED TO CORRECT THESE PROBLEMS.
Abstract
THE THEORY BEHIND THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM IS THAT THE STATE WILL PROVIDE BENEFICIAL TREATMENT AND PARENTAL CARE FOR THOSE CHILDREN BROUGHT UNDER ITS GUARDIANSHIP BY THE JUVENILE COURT. OUR KINDLY PARENT - THE STATE EXPLODES THIS IDEA, DOCUMENTING THROUGH A SERIES OF COURT CASES DATING FROM 1970 TO 1973 MANY OF THE PROBLEMS AND INJUSTICES PRESENT IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. AS A LAWYER FOR THE JUVENILE LEGAL AID SOCIETY IN CHICAGO, THE AUTHOR OF THIS BOOK TRIES SEVERAL CASES IN WHICH THESE ABUSES WERE PARTICULARLY EVIDENT. CASES INVOLVING MINORS IN NEED OF SUPERVISION WERE FIRST INVESTIGATED. IT WAS FOUND THAT THESE CHILDREN, OFTEN CHARGED WITH CRIMES NO MORE SERIOUS THAN RUNNING AWAY FROM HOME MAY EVENTUALLY BE INCARCERATED FOR YEARS. FURTHER ABUSES, SUCH AS THE TREATMENT OF JUVENILES IN DETENTION CENTERS, THE COMMITMENT OF SANE CHILDREN TO MENTAL HOSPITALS OR HOSPITALS FOR THE RETARDED, ABUSES IN OUT-OF-STATE FACILITIES, INCARCERATION OF YOUTHS UNDER MAXIMUMSECURITY CONDITIONS, WEEKS OR MONTHS OF SOLITARY CONFINEMENT, AND EXTENSIVE ADMINISTRATION OF SEDATIVE DRUGS TO JUVENILES ARE ALL VIVIDLY DEMONSTRATED IN THESE COURT CASES. THROUGH THESE CASES, EXPOSING THE 'KINDNESS' OF THE STATE, SUBSTANTIAL REFORMS OF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM IN ILLINOIS WERE GAINED, BRINGING THE SYSTEM CLOSER TO ITS INTENDED GOALS. (SNI ABSTRACT)