NCJ Number
61391
Date Published
1979
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THE PROBLEMS CONFRONTING A MENTALLY RETARDED YOUTHFUL OFFENDER AS HE BECOMES INVOLVED IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE PRESENTED IN THIS FILM FOR PARENTS, COUNSELORS, AND LAWYERS.
Abstract
THE DRAMA OF A 15-YEAR-OLD ADOLESCENT NAMED JAMES PORTRAYS THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM'S INABILITY TO MANAGE PROPERLY THE SOCIAL AND LEGAL PROBLEMS OF DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED OFFENDERS. ONLY AFTER JAMES HAS BEEN ARRESTED REPEATEDLY DOES THE SYSTEM ADMINISTER PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS WHICH INDICATE HE PERFORMS ON A SECOND OR THIRD GRADE LEVEL. JAMES IS INELIGIBLE FOR MANY REMEDIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS BECAUSE OF HIS CRIMINAL RECORD, AND CONSEQUENTLY, IS ASSIGNED TO JUVENILE DETENTION CENTERS AND LOCAL INSTITUTIONS WHERE HIS UNDERACHIEVEMENTS ARE REINFORCED. IN A DISPOSITION HEARING, THE SOCIAL WORKER RECOMMENDS THAT JAMES EITHER BE ASSISTED BY THE ADOLESCENT INTERVENTION TEAM OR PLACED IN AN INDIVIDUALIZED PUBLIC SCHOOL PROGRAM. NO SINGLE SOLUTION SEEMS ADEQUATE SINCE JAMES BECOMES VICTIM TO ABUSE IN SCHOOLS AND DETENTION FACILITIES, AND HE ASSOCIATES WITH CRIMINAL GANGS IN THE COMMUNITY. JAMES' MOTHER, AWARE OF HER SON'S DISABILITY, FEELS FRUSTRATED AT THE LACK OF AVAILABLE ASSISTANCE FOR HIM. LIKEWISE, THE JUVENILE JUDGE ADMITS THAT ALTHOUGH INSTITUTIONALIZATION IS INAPPROPRIATE, JAMES STILL REQUIRES CLOSE SUPERVISION. THE NONEXISTENCE OF AN IDEAL SOLUTION IS COMMON IN THE TREATMENT OF THE MARGINALLY RETARDED OFFENDER.