Juvenile Justice: Connecting Theory to Practice

Author(s): Megan Kurlychek

Edition: 1

Copyright: 2018

Pages: 376

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$63.67

ISBN 9781524970772

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Studying and understanding human behavior in society and societal reaction to human behavior is not enough.

Juvenile Justice: Connecting Theory to Practice looks closely at some of society’s most vulnerable members – troubled youth. This text draws concrete connections between theory and practice, two sometime disjunct realms. It discusses classic and prominent theories that directly relate to the practice of juvenile justice.

Juvenile Justice is divided into four sections:

  1. Defining and Measuring Delinquency – this section provides an in-depth definition of this phenomenon.
  2. Understanding Delinquency – gives a presentation of several key perspectives and theories to help unravel the mystery of the etiology of juvenile delinquency in American society.
  3. Practicing Juvenile Justice – takes readers from initial system contact with police, through the juvenile justice system’s intake, diversion, adjudication and placement processes.
  4. Challenges and Directions for the Future – explores the most critical challenges facing juvenile courts such as the victimization of youth and gang violence.

About the Author

Introduction

Section 1: Defining and Measuring

Delinquency

CHAPTER 1: Defining Delinquency and the Juvenile Delinquent

Introduction to Delinquency

Early Definitions of Childhood

Defining the Delinquent

Defining the Delinquent Act

Key Words

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

References

CHAPTER 2: Responding to Juvenile Delinquency: The Creation of Juvenile Justice in America

The First Institutions for Juveniles: The House of Refuge

The First Juvenile Court

The Court Today

Key Words

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

References

CHAPTER 3: Measuring and Studying Delinquency

Studying Juvenile Delinquency and Juvenile Justice: Sources of Information and Their Uses

Administrative Data

Limitations of the UCR

Victimization Surveys

Limitations of the NCVS

Self-Report Surveys

Answering Questions with Imperfect Data

Juvenile Delinquency Patterns and Trends

Time and Crime

Key Words

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

References

Section 2: Understanding Delinquency

CHAPTER 4: Birth of the Classical School and Deterrence Theories

The Spiritual Approach

From Spiritualism to Individualism

Key Words

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

Activities

References

CHAPTER 5: Biological and Psychological Theories

Early Biological Theories of Crime

Genetics and Crime

Neurophysiological Theories of Crime

Psychodynamic Theory

Developmental Theories

Personality Theories

Key Words

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

References

CHAPTER 6: Social Structure and Strain Theories

The Chicago School

Concentrated Poverty: From Social Disorganization to Social Isolation

Policy Applications for Juvenile Delinquency

Cultural Transmission and (Sub)Cultural Theories of Crime

Miller’s Focal Concerns Theory

Strain Theories

Albert Cohen’s Delinquent Boys

Opportunity Theory

General Strain Theory

Key Words

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

References

CHAPTER 7: Social Learning and Social Process Theories

Social Learning Theories

Policy Implications for Juvenile Justice

Social Control Theory

Policy Implications for Juvenile Justice

Labeling Theory and Stigma

Policy Applications for Juvenile Justice

Key Words

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

References

CHAPTER 8: Developmental and Integrated Theory

Integrated Theory

Developmental Theories

Risk and Protective Factor Approach

Key Words

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

References

Section 3: Practicing Juvenile Justice

CHAPTER 9: Entering the Juvenile Justice System: Police, Diversion and Detention

The Initial Encounter: Policing Juveniles

The Arrest and Interrogation Process: Rules for Policing Juveniles

Police Styles

Police in Schools

From Arrest to Intake

Pre-Adjudicatory Diversion

Pre-Adjudicatory Detention

Key Words

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

References

CHAPTER 10: Juvenile Court Processing: After the Petition

After the Petition

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

Juveniles in Adult Court

Blended Sentencing

Key Words

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

References

CHAPTER 11: After the Disposition: Treatment, Placement and Aftercare

Disposition versus Sentencing

Residential Placement

The Cottage System

Private Placements

End of the Line: Juveniles in Adult Jails and Prisons

Aftercare

Key Words

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

References

Section 4: Challenges and Directions for the Future

CHAPTER 12: Challenges Facing the Juvenile Justice System: Vulnerable Populations

Challenge 1: The Victim/Offender Overlap

Trends in Victimization

Challenge 2: The Forgotten Female

Key Words

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

References

CHAPTER 13: Challenges Facing the Juvenile Justice System: Schools, Peer Groups and Gangs

Challenge 3: Schools and Delinquency

Delinquency in the School

Causes of School Problems

School Context and Delinquency

Delinquency and Dropout

Responses to Delinquency in Schools

Challenge 4: From Playgroup to Gang: Peers and Delinquency

The Gang Problem

Research on Gangs

Girls in Gangs

Preventing and Responding to Gang Delinquency

Key Words

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

References

CHAPTER 14: The Future of Juvenile Justice

References

GLOSSARY

INDEX

Megan Kurlychek

Megan Kurlychek is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at the University at Albany. Prior to entering academia she had hands on experience in policy working in the Pennsylvania State Senate and the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing. The most influential period of her life was from 1994 to 1999—a period now known as the “get tough” movement on juvenile crime—during which she worked as a research analyst for the National Center for Juvenile Justice researching and reporting on programs that actually worked to help, rather than hurt, wayward youth. Dr. Kurlychek brought her love for policy to her profession and to this text as she continues to draw connections between the study and practice of juvenile justice. In addition to being a Professor she also serves as Executive Director of the Hindelang Criminal Justice Center, as the Acting Director of the New York State Youth Justice Institute and as the editor for Justice Quarterly, the flagship journal of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. Dr. Kurlychek continues to publish her work in key academic journals as well as presenting the results on important topics such as the sentencing of youth in adult courts and the sealing of criminal records at public policy and government conferences.

Studying and understanding human behavior in society and societal reaction to human behavior is not enough.

Juvenile Justice: Connecting Theory to Practice looks closely at some of society’s most vulnerable members – troubled youth. This text draws concrete connections between theory and practice, two sometime disjunct realms. It discusses classic and prominent theories that directly relate to the practice of juvenile justice.

Juvenile Justice is divided into four sections:

  1. Defining and Measuring Delinquency – this section provides an in-depth definition of this phenomenon.
  2. Understanding Delinquency – gives a presentation of several key perspectives and theories to help unravel the mystery of the etiology of juvenile delinquency in American society.
  3. Practicing Juvenile Justice – takes readers from initial system contact with police, through the juvenile justice system’s intake, diversion, adjudication and placement processes.
  4. Challenges and Directions for the Future – explores the most critical challenges facing juvenile courts such as the victimization of youth and gang violence.

About the Author

Introduction

Section 1: Defining and Measuring

Delinquency

CHAPTER 1: Defining Delinquency and the Juvenile Delinquent

Introduction to Delinquency

Early Definitions of Childhood

Defining the Delinquent

Defining the Delinquent Act

Key Words

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

References

CHAPTER 2: Responding to Juvenile Delinquency: The Creation of Juvenile Justice in America

The First Institutions for Juveniles: The House of Refuge

The First Juvenile Court

The Court Today

Key Words

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

References

CHAPTER 3: Measuring and Studying Delinquency

Studying Juvenile Delinquency and Juvenile Justice: Sources of Information and Their Uses

Administrative Data

Limitations of the UCR

Victimization Surveys

Limitations of the NCVS

Self-Report Surveys

Answering Questions with Imperfect Data

Juvenile Delinquency Patterns and Trends

Time and Crime

Key Words

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

References

Section 2: Understanding Delinquency

CHAPTER 4: Birth of the Classical School and Deterrence Theories

The Spiritual Approach

From Spiritualism to Individualism

Key Words

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

Activities

References

CHAPTER 5: Biological and Psychological Theories

Early Biological Theories of Crime

Genetics and Crime

Neurophysiological Theories of Crime

Psychodynamic Theory

Developmental Theories

Personality Theories

Key Words

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

References

CHAPTER 6: Social Structure and Strain Theories

The Chicago School

Concentrated Poverty: From Social Disorganization to Social Isolation

Policy Applications for Juvenile Delinquency

Cultural Transmission and (Sub)Cultural Theories of Crime

Miller’s Focal Concerns Theory

Strain Theories

Albert Cohen’s Delinquent Boys

Opportunity Theory

General Strain Theory

Key Words

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

References

CHAPTER 7: Social Learning and Social Process Theories

Social Learning Theories

Policy Implications for Juvenile Justice

Social Control Theory

Policy Implications for Juvenile Justice

Labeling Theory and Stigma

Policy Applications for Juvenile Justice

Key Words

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

References

CHAPTER 8: Developmental and Integrated Theory

Integrated Theory

Developmental Theories

Risk and Protective Factor Approach

Key Words

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

References

Section 3: Practicing Juvenile Justice

CHAPTER 9: Entering the Juvenile Justice System: Police, Diversion and Detention

The Initial Encounter: Policing Juveniles

The Arrest and Interrogation Process: Rules for Policing Juveniles

Police Styles

Police in Schools

From Arrest to Intake

Pre-Adjudicatory Diversion

Pre-Adjudicatory Detention

Key Words

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

References

CHAPTER 10: Juvenile Court Processing: After the Petition

After the Petition

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

Juveniles in Adult Court

Blended Sentencing

Key Words

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

References

CHAPTER 11: After the Disposition: Treatment, Placement and Aftercare

Disposition versus Sentencing

Residential Placement

The Cottage System

Private Placements

End of the Line: Juveniles in Adult Jails and Prisons

Aftercare

Key Words

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

References

Section 4: Challenges and Directions for the Future

CHAPTER 12: Challenges Facing the Juvenile Justice System: Vulnerable Populations

Challenge 1: The Victim/Offender Overlap

Trends in Victimization

Challenge 2: The Forgotten Female

Key Words

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

References

CHAPTER 13: Challenges Facing the Juvenile Justice System: Schools, Peer Groups and Gangs

Challenge 3: Schools and Delinquency

Delinquency in the School

Causes of School Problems

School Context and Delinquency

Delinquency and Dropout

Responses to Delinquency in Schools

Challenge 4: From Playgroup to Gang: Peers and Delinquency

The Gang Problem

Research on Gangs

Girls in Gangs

Preventing and Responding to Gang Delinquency

Key Words

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

References

CHAPTER 14: The Future of Juvenile Justice

References

GLOSSARY

INDEX

Megan Kurlychek

Megan Kurlychek is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at the University at Albany. Prior to entering academia she had hands on experience in policy working in the Pennsylvania State Senate and the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing. The most influential period of her life was from 1994 to 1999—a period now known as the “get tough” movement on juvenile crime—during which she worked as a research analyst for the National Center for Juvenile Justice researching and reporting on programs that actually worked to help, rather than hurt, wayward youth. Dr. Kurlychek brought her love for policy to her profession and to this text as she continues to draw connections between the study and practice of juvenile justice. In addition to being a Professor she also serves as Executive Director of the Hindelang Criminal Justice Center, as the Acting Director of the New York State Youth Justice Institute and as the editor for Justice Quarterly, the flagship journal of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. Dr. Kurlychek continues to publish her work in key academic journals as well as presenting the results on important topics such as the sentencing of youth in adult courts and the sealing of criminal records at public policy and government conferences.