Youth Justice

Publisher:
Sage Publications, Inc.
Publication date:
2021-09-06
ISBN:
1473-2254

Issue Number

Latest documents

  • Changing Responses to Juvenile Arrests: Analyzing 30 Years of Juvenile Court Records

    This article assesses change in juvenile formal social control in the United States from 1985 to 2014. By combining national juvenile arrest and court data, I compute and analyze arrest-adjusted trends in court processing and case dispositions. Results indicate that the juvenile justice system now operates with a wider net of control through stronger connections with law enforcement and increased use of less-severe dispositions, especially those dispensed prior to adjudication. This increased exposure to formal system involvement, even if less severe, nonetheless raises concerns for youth and their social and developmental outcomes of system involvement.

  • Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Emotional Management Programme for Male Adolescent Offenders in Custody

    This mixed-methods study examines the effectiveness of the emotional management (EM) programme for male juvenile offenders in custody. EM is a 10-session cognitive-behavioural, skills-based group programme designed to target a range of general criminogenic needs. Paired group analyses were completed to examine the differences in pre- and post-programme scores for the total sample (N = 110) and results were separated into programme completers (n = 96), non-completers (n = 14) and Indigenous youth (n = 75). Consistent with expectations, the results showed statistically significant improvements in emotional regulation and statistically significant decreases in overall levels of aggressive thoughts and behaviours for programme completers and for Indigenous youth in our sample. Contrary to expectations, the results also indicated that programme non-completers showed improvements across the outcome measures, although these did not reach statistical significance. Qualitative analysis of participant programme feedback further supported the quantitative results and highlighted the importance of the therapeutic alliance, programme facilitation style and delivery. The findings contribute to the ‘what works’ research base on risk reduction approaches for youth offenders and provide insights into programme and process factors that improve the likelihood of positive treatment outcomes. Suggestions for programme improvements and future research directions are discussed.

  • A Question of Age? Applying Desistance With Children

    Youth justice in England and Wales has seen the increasing adoption of desistance thinking in recent years. There has been scarce academic debate of this development, despite the desistance evidence base focussing on adult pathways away from crime. This article examines the theorisation and application of desistance thinking with children, centring on the experiences and narratives of four ‘groups’ involved in the formal youth justice system in England and Wales, across two empirical studies. It challenges previous scholarship that denies the relevance of desistance theories to under-18s, arguing for progressive desistance practice that prioritises children’s healthy long-term development.

  • Difficult ‘By Design’: Viewpoints of Crown Attorneys and Defense Counsel Working With Youth With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in the Youth Justice System

    Despite the overrepresentation of youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in the youth criminal justice system, little is known about their experiences. Drawing on interviews with defense counsel and crown attorneys, we examine how Canada’s Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) guides the work of justice professionals and the extent to which this legislation responds to youth with IDD. Findings provide insight into some of the realities and challenges justice professionals face in their role. We consider how gaps between the YCJA and its application in practice may be addressed for youth with IDD in the youth criminal justice system.

  • Children’s and Families’ Perspectives and Understanding of Children’s Court Criminal Processes and Consequences: A Scoping Review of Qualitative Grey Literature

    This article presents findings from a scoping review of qualitative grey literature regarding children’s and families’ perspectives and understanding of Children’s Court criminal processes in which they are participants. Many children and families had difficulty understanding court proceedings, particularly formal and legal language, and fully appreciating the significant implications of decisions for their future lives. Professional support was often inconsistent and unreliable. One area where positive processes were experienced was in alternative courts, especially Indigenous courts. The findings support previous research and international law that recommends greater involvement of children and families in court processes to achieve fairer and better outcomes.

  • Crime Prevention, Support or Punishment? Introducing an Ambiguous System of Youth Justice in Denmark

    International research on youth justice systems has highlighted diversion as a key element in early crime prevention and deterrence. In Denmark, a youth justice reform was introduced in 2019 that restructured how the justice system responds to children and youths who are suspected or convicted of a crime. With the introduction of a Youth Crime Board (YCB) and a Youth Probation Service (YPS), the new reform aims to increase the speed and intensity of system responses to offences committed by children and youths. Based on legislation, policy papers, hearings on the new reform and the first evaluations of the reform, we analyse three key elements: the YCB, the sanctions and the YPS. We find that the 2019 youth justice reform constitutes an ambiguous system of youth justice with elements of diversion and punishment, and we argue that the reform integrates punitive elements into the delivery of treatment and support.

  • The Good, the Bad, and the Narrative: How Youth Experience the ‘Gangsta’ in Rap Music

    Rap is a music genre that is as dynamic and internationally successful as it is extensively discredited. This contribution begins here by focusing on the perception of young rap fans and asking what meaning they attach to rap specifically with regard to the criminality of gangstas. The empirical basis for the analyses is an ethnographic study with young rap fans in Germany. The results show that rappers as gangstas have a high identification potential for the young people – but not in every case. Rappers have to be authentic and show the young people possibilities to find ways out of disadvantaged and discriminating living conditions, if necessary with the help of crime. To appear credible in this respect, gangstas must rap about actual crimes and communicate experiences with which the young people, for their part, are familiar.

  • COVID-19 and Family Visits: A Systematic Jurisdiction Analysis of Family Visitation and Safety Policies in Juvenile Correctional Facilities in the United States

    When COVID-19 first hit the United States, juvenile correctional facilities across the country discontinued all in-person activities including family visits. Correctional facilities across the country were among the last institutions to reopen their doors for in-person activities given the heightened risk of rapid spread. Drawing on data gathered in February and March 2022, this study examined the state of family visitation policies and COVID-19 safety responses adopted by juvenile correctional facilities, as reported on websites, including information on the different types of contact allowed; COVID-19 safety protocols and practices; availability of information on COVID-19 infection and vaccination rates; and the overall timeliness, consistency, and comprehensiveness of the information available to families with incarcerated minor children. Our findings highlight just how untimely, inconsistent, and incomprehensive information and policies were across jurisdictions, sometimes with little to no stated explanation for their decision-making. We argue that juvenile correctional facilities should take a family-focused approach when developing and disseminating policies that impact the lives of incarcerated youth and their families, especially in times of global uncertainty.

  • Age, Development and the Changing Norms of Youth Justice
  • Robert G Schwartz, 1949–2024

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