One of the most challenging issues faced by the criminal justice system is how to handle juvenile offenders. The juvenile justice system is designed to take a more rehabilitative approach than the adult system. The government has decided to abolish the juvenile court because juveniles should have the same rights as adults. Do you agree with this position? If your response is yes, discuss if the juvenile system has outlived its purpose and provide evidence that supports your position.
Be sure to support your statements with logic and argument, citing any sources referenced
I include the module to help you find the source the question is up above
Criminal Justice Policy Development and Analysis
Module 2: Juvenile Prevention Programs and Strengthening Families
In Module 2, we will discuss trends in juvenile delinquency over the last several decades as well as identify the influences and risk factors of juvenile delinquency. Understanding these trends helps interested parties determine the magnitude of a given problem and identify relevant risk factors contributing to the problem. Additionally, this knowledge helps to assess the need for, and effectiveness of, various treatment options and preventative measures and/or intervention.
Next, we will explore juvenile justice as it relates to policy-making. Seeking strategies that can help reduce a juvenile’s exposure to the criminal justice system can be achieved through the use of evidence-based practices. Examples of less punitive strategies showing promise in reducing juvenile delinquency are diversion options, school-based violence prevention programs, and restorative justice models. Policies such as zero-tolerance and other more punitive measures are slowing being replaced by these less punitive practices.
In the latter part of the module, we will examine various policies related to juvenile delinquency. Using what works strategies like family-therapy models and multi-systemic therapies that focus interventions on juveniles in childhood address not just the behavioral issues of young children individually but also on the functioning of the family unit. Providing skills training to the family with respect to communication and family interaction, as well as improving family dynamics, has been shown to strengthen the juvenile’s societal and familial bond. Other therapies that promote behavioral changes through individualized treatment programs have also been shown to decrease deviance, including violent behavior, and reduce recidivism rates.
Learning Outcomes
Analyze trends of juvenile delinquency.
Examine punishment options for juvenile delinquents.
Evaluate the importance of family relationships on juvenile delinquency.
Assess the role of juvenile justice in the policy-making process.
Discuss various juvenile justice policies.
For Your Success & Readings
In this module, you are assigned several required readings as well as recommended readings. It is important to engage with the required readings as well as recommended to gain a better understanding of the policies and programs regarding juvenile delinquency. The readings assigned both elaborate on, as well as complement, the material covered in the course module.
As part of the requirements for this week, you are asked to respond to a discussion question posed to you. In response to the discussion question, be sure to respond to all prompts provided (if there are more than one). To qualify for full credit, you should also cite to the readings and the course material, but also feel free to engage in outside research on the topics (and cite to those as well). Remember that you should also have responses to others’ responses in the discussion board. Initial comments are due by midnight on Thursday
Your first Critical Thinking assignment is due this week so be sure to review APA citation format rules for and reach out to your faculty with any questions regarding the course material or assignment. Please remember that at times the assignment may appear to ask for your opinion but consider that we are seeking your informed opinion. The distinction is that we are asking that you take a stance on a given topic then support your position with outside research.
Required
Chapters 5, 6, & 24 in Advancing Criminology & Criminal Justice Policy
Recommended
Mcintyre, J., & Knight, R. (2016). Revealing the community within: Valuing the role of local community structures within evidence-based school intervention programs. The Urban Review, 48(5), 647-667.
Seroczynski, A., Evans, W., Jobst, A., Horvath, L., & Carozza, G. (2016). Reading for Life and Adolescent Re-arrest: Evaluating a unique juvenile diversion program. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 35(3), 662-682.
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References
Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development. (2018). Multisystemic therapy [Fact sheet]. Retrieved from http://www.blueprintsprograms.com/factsheet/multisystemic-therapy-mst
Development Services Group, Inc. (2014, October). “Family therapy.” Literature review. Washington, D.C.: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.ojjdp.gov/mpg/litreviews/Family_Therapy.pdf
Jannetta, J., & Okeke, C. (2017, November). Strategies for reducing criminal and juvenile justice involvement [Policy brief]. Retrieved from https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/94516/strategies-for-reducing-criminal-and-juvenile-justice-involvement_2.pdf
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). (2017, December 6). OJJDP Statistical Briefing Book. Retrieved from https://www.ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/crime/JAR_Display.asp?ID=qa05200
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). (2018, January). Spotlight on girls in the juvenile justice system. Retrieved from https://www.ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/snapshots/DataSnapshot_GIRLS2015.pdf
Sitnick, S. L., Shaw, D. S., Weaver, C. M., Shelby, E. C., Choe, D. E., Reuben, J. D., . . . Taraban, L. (2017). Early childhood predictors of severe youth violence in low-income males. Child Development, 88(1), 27-40. Retrieved from http://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12680
Sample Solution
