NCJ Number
35297
Date Published
1975
Length
36 pages
Annotation
IT IS SUGGESTED THAT EARLY SCREENING AND COUNSELING OF PRE-DELINQUENT AND DELINQUENT YOUTHS IN THE LOWER GRADES OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE FUTURE CRIME.
Abstract
THIS POSITION IS BASED ON THE PREMISE THAT UNCORRECTED EARLY DELINQUENCY USUALLY LEADS TO ADULT CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES. PERTINENT RESEARCH STUDIES IN THIS AREA ARE REVIEWED IN RELATION TO HOW THEY SUPPORT THIS VIEWPOINT. A CORRECTIVE SCHOOL PROGRAM, DIRECTED BY PROFESSIONAL CHILD GUIDANCE COUNSELORS IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, AND HANDLED EXCLUSIVELY BY THE SCHOOL SYSTEM ITSELF, IS RECOMMENDED. THIS CORRECTIVE COUNSELING WOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED AT THE SCHOOL, BY THE SCHOOL, DURING SCHOOL HOURS AND CHILDREN WOULD CONTINUE TO LIVE AT HOME AS USUAL. THE EXPERIENCE OF CERTAIN CALIFORNIA SCHOOL SYSTEMS (ESPECIALLY BAKERSFIELD) WITH SIMILAR TYPE PROGRAMS IS DISCUSSED.