Discuss the finding of the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine's Panel on Juvenile Crime in regard to prevention and intervention programs. Do you agree or disagree with the panel? Explain

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

• The federal government should assist the states through federal funding and incentives to reduce the use of secure detention and secure confinement, by developing community-based alternatives. The effectiveness of such programs both for the protection of the community and the benefit of the youth in their charge should be monitored.
• Although calling for reforms to the juvenile justice system was a key element of the national panel's final report, panel members were equally or more concerned with the need to prevent delinquency before it occurs and intervene with at-risk children and adolescents.
• Importantly, there is growing public support for prevention and intervention programs designed to reduce delinquency, not to mention a high level of public disapproval for abolishing the juvenile justice system in favor of a harsher, criminal justice system response.
• The panel also called attention to the need for more rigorous experimentation with prevention and intervention programs with demonstrated success in reducing risk factors associated with delinquency.
• Some states, such as Washington, have begun to incorporate a research-based approach to guide juvenile justice programming and policy.
• Student views will vary.