Discuss why detention is increasing. Do you agree with the authors' speculation regarding "correction of biases"? Explain why or why not?
What will be an ideal response?
• The recent increase in detention use among juvenile offenders may result from the steady growth in the number of offenders.
• There remains a serious problem of overrepresentation of minorities in secure detention. In a study of the extent of racial discrimination and disparity among male juvenile property offenders in six Missouri counties at four stages of juvenile justice (decision to file a petition, pretrial detention, adjudication, and disposition), it was found that African American youth were more likely than white youth to be detained prior to adjudication (40% compared to 22%).
• The study also found that African American youth were more likely to be formally referred and white youth were more likely to be adjudicated.
• The authors speculate that a "correction of biases" may be one of the reasons for white youth being more likely than African American youth to be adjudicated; that is, "judges may dismiss black youths because they feel that a detained youth has been punished enough already.".
• Student responses will vary.
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Explain the basis of Miller's focal concerns. Which concern does he suggest is the most important?
What will be an ideal response?
Explain differential police response and its impact on the police.
What will be an ideal response?
Which of the following propositions most accurately characterizes the issue of gender-related cultural practices?
a. Within some cultures, these practices represent repression and political violence against women. b. Gender-related cultural practices are not the business of the global community and should be accepted. c. Some cultures may appear to practice gender-related repression, but this is simply a matter of perspective. d. Both “gender-related cultural practices are not the business of the global community and should be accepted” and “some cultures may appear to practice gender-related repression, but this is simply a matter of perspective.”
Law enforcement tends to lag behind in computer technology; how can this problem be addressed?
What will be an ideal response?