Juvenile Crime Prevention in America

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Juvenile crime in the United States is ballooning out of control along with adult crimes, and politicians and law enforcement officials don’t seem to be able to do anything about it. Despite tougher sentencing laws, longer probation terms, and all other efforts of lawmakers, the crime and recidivism rates in our country can’t be reduced. The failure of these recent measures along with new research and studies by county juvenile delinquency programs point to the only real cure to the U.S.’s crime problem: prevention programs. The rising crime rates in the United States are of much worry to most of the U.S.’s citizens, and seems to be gaining a sense of urgency. Crime ranks highest in nationwide polls as Americans’ biggest concern (Daltry 22). For good reason- twice as many people have been victims of crimes in the 1990s as in the 1970s (Betts 36). Four times as many people under the age of eighteen were arrested for homicide with a handgun in 1993 than in 1983 (Schiraldi 11A). These problems don’t have a quick fix solution, or even an answer that everyone can agree on. A study by the Campaign for an Effective Crime Policy has found no deterrent effects of the “Three Strikes and You’re Out” law recently put into effect by politicians (Feinsilber 1A). It has been agreed however that there is not much hope of rehabilitating criminals once started on a life of crime. Criminologist David Kuzmeski sums up this feeling by saying, “If society wants to protect itself from violent criminals, the best way it can do it is lock them up until they are over thirty years of age.... I am not aware of any treatment that has been particularly successful.” The problem with his plan is that our country simply doesn’t have the jail space, or money to ...

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... Tribune 8 February 1998: 1B

Feinsilber, Mike. “Unrepentant Repeaters Stymie System” Medford Mail Tribune. 28 February: 1A

Howell, James C., ed. Guide for Implementing the Comprehensive Strategy for Serious Violent and Chronic Juvenile Off

Works Cited

Andrews, D.A, Phd. Principles for Effective Delinquency Prevention and Early enders. United States: The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 1995.

Howell, James C. and Barry Krisberg. Serious Violent and Chronic Juvenile Offenders. California: Sage Publications, 1995. Juvenile Department, Jackson County. 1997 Report on Programs and Statistics. Salem: Jackson County Juvenile Department.

Ryan, Michael. “They’re Turning in Their Guns”. Parade. 3 May 1998: 10-11

Schiraldi, Vince. “Exaggeration of Juvenile Crime Drives Stiffer Penalties”. Medford Mail Tribune 16 January 1998: 1A

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