Running head: IMPACT OF TREATMENT AND PUNISHMENT ON REDUCING JUVENILE CRIME RATES AND RECIDIVISM IN THE US 1 Impact of Treatment and Punishment on Reducing Juvenile Crime Rates and Recidivism in the US Dimas Rodriguez CRJ 301 Juvenile Justice Instructor: Lynn Dorey June 2, 2019 IMPACT OF TREATMENT AND PUNISHMENT ON REDUCING JUVENILE CRIME RATES AND RECIDIVISM IN THE US 2 Impact of Treatment and Punishment on Reducing Juvenile Crime Rates and Recidivism in the US Crime among the youth is a global concern that requires an effective method of reducing its spread. The treatment has been presented as an effective method in reducing crime rates and recidivism of juveniles (McMasters, 2015). However, there are some instances where treatment fails to work as expected. On the other hand, Simmons(2013) argued that although punishment reduced crime among juveniles, it harmed them. Using a combination of both the strategies, therefore, may give an insight into whether they are complementary to each other and if their combined impact improves the situation. This study seeks to explore the effect of both treatment and punishment on reducing juvenile crime rates and recidivism in the US 1.2 Background to the study This part highlights the historical developments concerning juvenile crime and correctional approaches from as early as 1980. Young, Greer, and Church (2017) reported that punitive policy adoption in the US was necessitated by a sharp increase in juvenile crime between 1980 and 1990. A 20% drop in court cases witnessed in ten years starting in 1997 was widely attributed to punishment. Treatment can significantly reduce the impact of mental problems associated with criminal associations among young people. There are a reported 67% of young male offenders found to require a psychiatrist. Further, 20% of the incarcerated juveniles suffer from mental health problems and result in severe functional disorder. Although there is a higher number of boys involved in crime, the number of girls is increasing at a higher rate (Shook, Vaughn, Goodkind & Johnson, 2011). This increase continues to raise concerns about societal security. It is further reported that in the last 40 years, the treatment of girls in juveniles justice systems has changed. IMPACT OF TREATMENT AND PUNISHMENT ON REDUCING JUVENILE CRIME RATES AND RECIDIVISM IN THE US 3 Female juvenile offenders were 1.5 times more considered to be taken to juvenile courts for delinquency cases. The rate of female minor court cases increased by 127% between 1990 and 2000 before declining 23% from the early 2000s. Nonwhite children are also involved in more, especially those involving drugs than children of white parents. 1.3 Statement of the problem Although both the treatment and punishment methods are used, there is still a high juvenile crime rate and juvenile gangs emerging. As crime becomes sophisticated, different techniques can help in reducing the vice. Each method has strengths and weaknesses that need to be addressed by using a different approach without disregarding any of the arrangements. A combination of ways that can yield synergy in effectiveness, therefore, is used in this study to assess the combined impact of the two methods on reducing juvenile crime rates and recidivism in the US. 1.4 Aim of the study This study aims to explore the impact of the treatment and punishment methods on reducing juvenile crime rates and recidivism in the US. The two approaches are examined separately to elucidate where each may work and where they fail to work, and finally, the combined impact explored. 1.4.1 i. Objectives of the study To explore the impact of the treatment and punishment methods on reducing juvenile crime rates and recidivism in the US ii. To examine the influence of treatment method on reducing juvenile crime rates and recidivism in the US IMPACT OF TREATMENT AND PUNISHMENT ON REDUCING JUVENILE CRIME RATES AND RECIDIVISM IN THE US iii. 4 To assess the contribution of punishment method on reducing juvenile crime rates and recidivism in the US Chapter two literature review 2.1 Theoretical review This part explores the theoretical and empirical review framework to explain the concept of treatment and punishment from scholarly sources. Two theories will be reviewed. Rational Choice Theory explains that individuals choose behaviors from a motivation to avoid pain and pursuit of pleasure. On the other hand, the utilitarian theory of punishment asserts that punishing wrongdoers can deter criminal behavior further explains how the application of this principle can increase societal happiness by reducing crime. 2.3 Empirical review 2.3.1 Treatment There is a significantly higher rate of the mental health-related problem among juveniles involved in crime than their non-offender peers (Henggeler & Schaeffer, 2016). These problems are observed more among first-time offenders. The researchers recommend the multisystemic therapy approach (MSA). MSA is a family-based clinical intervention to offer treatment and support to victims. Incidentally, there is high mortality in incarcerated juveniles associated with mental health issues. Similar views are held by Murray (2017) who noted treatment revealed much better results in reducing crime rates among young people. 2.3.2 Punishment IMPACT OF TREATMENT AND PUNISHMENT ON REDUCING JUVENILE CRIME RATES AND RECIDIVISM IN THE US ` 5 According to the assertion of Simmons (2013) punitive strategies of reducing crime among juveniles has a little and short-lived impact on the offenders creating a short-term solution. Aroram2(018) concurred that there is no evidence that punishment deters crimes among young people. It is also evident that punishment may work differently depending on the background of the offender. Some methods, therefore, may work when trying to reduce juvenile crime rates and recidivism, and others do not work in both correctional facilities and community. 2.5 Literature gap There are mixed positions held by different stakeholders regarding the effectiveness of the treatment and punishment as a way of reducing juvenile crime. Few studies have been done in focusing on a combined approach in the place this study is targeting. This study seeks to bridge the literature gap by conducting a survey that will reveal the effectiveness of these two methods combined. 2.6 Summary There is a genuine concern for the growing juveniles’ crime rate. Increased involvement of girls even when correctional facilities are dreaded, especially by girls indicates a need to diversify the approach used in taming the crime among the youth. Application of the knowledge on why individuals choose certain behaviors and how they can be changed can help positively change the crime statistics observed among young people. Focusing on prevention by way of application of counseling can help those who may be getting attracted to gangs to change mind. Where youth are already in crime, treatment can be employed first, and punishment can come as a last resort. A diversified method is likely to give better results in reducing juvenile crime rates and recidivism in the US for a safer, better society. IMPACT OF TREATMENT AND PUNISHMENT ON REDUCING JUVENILE CRIME RATES AND RECIDIVISM IN THE US 6 References Arora, A. (2018). Juvenile Crime and Anticipated Punishment. SSRN Electronic Journal, 3(6), 56-63. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.3095312 Henggeler, S., & Schaeffer, C. (2016). Multisystemic Therapy®: Clinical Overview, Outcomes, and Implementation Research. Family Process, 55(3), 514-528. doi: 10.1111/famp.12232 McMasters, A., (2015, June 1). Effective Strategies for Preventing Recidivism. Retrieved from Western Oregon University Digital Commons: https://digitalcommons.wou.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1057&context=honors_thes es Shook, J., Vaughn, M., Goodkind, S., & Johnson, H. (2011). An empirical portrait of youthful offenders who sell drugs. Journal Of Criminal Justice, 39(3), 224-231. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2011.02.014 Simmons, L. (2013). Leslie Paik, Discretionary Justice: Looking Inside a Juvenile Drug Court. Punishment & Society, 15(5), 578-581. doi: 10.1177/1462474513496989 Young, S., Greer, B., & Church, R. (2017). Juvenile delinquency, welfare, justice and therapeutic interventions: a global perspective. Bjpsych Bulletin, 41(1), 21-29. doi: 10.1192/pb.bp.115.052274 ...
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