NCJ Number
888
Date Published
1970
Length
17 pages
Annotation
ARGUMENT FOR LONG TERM DELINQUENCY PREVENTION STRATEGIES WITH A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO RESEARCH ON DELINQUENCY CAUSATION AND PLANNING COMMUNITY PREVENTION PROJECTS.
Abstract
A MODEL IDENTIFYING THE KEY COMPONENTS OF THE DELINQUENT SITUATION IS PRESENTED, VARIATIONS OF WHICH MAY DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THE DELINQUENT EVENT ACTUALLY OCCURS. SIGNIFICANT AREAS OF THEORY AND RESEARCH WHICH MAY AID THE DEVELOPMENT OF PREVENTION PROGRAMS INCLUDE STUDIES OF OFFENDER AND VICTIM CHARACTERISTICS, THE SYSTEM OF SOCIAL CONTROL, NORMS BEING VIOLATED, NORMS SUPPORTING DELINQUENCY, AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEGITIMATE AND ILLEGITIMATE ACTIVITIES. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE SITUATIONAL MODEL BE UTILIZED TO DEVELOP OTHER MODELS OF CAUSATION FOR SPECIFIC CATEGORIES OF JUVENILE OFFENSES. THIS APPROACH MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO IDENTIFY THOSE TARGETS OF SOCIAL ACTION WHICH THE BEST AVAILABLE THEORY AND RESEARCH INDICATE AS THE PRINCIPAL OBJECTS FOR PREVENTION STRATEGIES. AN OUTLINE OF A COMMUNITY PLAN FOR PREVENTING DRUG USE BY ADOLESCENTS IS USED TO ILLUSTRATE THIS CONCEPT.