8348082

Juvenile Delinquency
When an adolescent commits a crime, resulting in the death of an innocent person or
violence, and ends up in the juvenile justice system we ask ourselves, Is there anything we
could've done. Yes we could have done something and we will take actions to prevent future
juvenile delinquency. There are many contributing factors for the cause of juvenile delinquency,
to be able to prevent juvenile delinquency as a whole we need to prevent those contributing
factors first hand. Juvenile crime is an issue that affects every society. Lori Reynolds once said
So many kids end up in the juvenile justice system before theyve been able to get help. They
end up getting it(help) through the juvenile justice system, and that's wrong. A kid shouldn't have
to commit a crime to get the help they need. The help with prevention programs and mentorship
will give kids the help they need to be derailed from the dark path at an early stage to prevent
further delinquency. Each strategy has their own purpose and each one of those purposes will
help with this whole issue which is to prevent juvenile delinquency. Once released and back into
society it may be hard to reestablish yourself and make a good future for yourself but it's not
impossible, it can be done and it has been done by many people. Juvenile delinquency is a big
problem in society but it can and will be prevented. Even though some people believe high
rates of recidivism will cause juvenile delinquency to continue to be a big problem in our
society, juvenile delinquency can be prevented with strategies such as prevention programs,
mentorship and rehabilitation centers.
Juvenile delinquency can be prevented because there is resources such as Prevention
Programs. Prevention Programs are a huge help because it shows adolescents the pros and cons
of activities they're involved in and shows that their capable to walk away from it.

8348082

As the graph to the left shows, Youth

programs have a 60% promising chance that
will be successful out of 190 programs, also
shows that 25% of the 190 was a success
and only 15% was k unsuccessful, overall
youth programs are a good promising way to
prevention.
While many past approaches focus on remediating visible and/or long lasting disruptive
behavior, research has shown that prevention and early intervention are made more effective
(Loeber 2003). Piece of evidence supports my argument because it shows that prevention
programs are a good resource to prevent delinquency at an early stage before it manifests.
Evidence supports my position because its big meaning is that juvenile delinquency can and will
be prevented through help of programs. In addition from Programs being a important factor
contributing to prevention strategies also a factor that contributes is Community correctional
center.
Correctional facilities can help in many ways and help juveniles to stay out of trouble and not
only teaching them how to be better but helping them mentally and physically and also not just
on themselves but also at home and school environments. Correctional Counseling provides
evidence-based programs and materials that can help juvenile offenders make smarter choices,
thereby reducing recidivism, lowering cost, and improving community safety (Kenneth
Robinson 2008). Evidence supports my argument as it shows an additional strategy that main
focus is on preventing juvenile delinquency and derailing adolescents from a dark path. Evidence
from the quote promotes that there are many forms to prevent juvenile delinquency and many

8348082

strategies that are prompt to discontinue this society issue. Additionally to prevention programs
and community correctional counseling centers there is the addressing of addiction problem and
behavioral problems.
There are facilities that main purpose is to provide services for adolescents that mental health
issues and substance abuse, and help them overcome that obstacle. Juvenile offenders can
benefit from diversion programs through community agencies with services for mental health
problems and substance abuse that they might not receive in a regular center (Susan Griffith).
This quote supports my big argument because it shows that juvenile adolescents benefit from
facilities with these services that help correct substance and behavioral issue so it won't lead
them to delinquency. This shows that preventing an substance/behavioral issue can help dilute
the juvenile delinquency problem because substance or behavioral problems might be a
contributing factor a adolescent will commit a delinquency. Juvenile delinquency can be
prevented by different factors such as Prevention programs, Community correctional counseling
centers and Substance/Behavioral corrections. Programs being a contributing factor for the
prevention of juvenile delinquency also a factor to the is by the use of Mentoring

Juvenile delinquency can be prevented by the use of mentoring. Mentorship would be

considered as advice given to juvenile adolescent so they can get the right path and a safe place
where a troubled teen can tell its problems and fix it. Mentoring is a one-on-one relationship
between a pair of unrelated individuals, one adult and one juvenile, which takes place on a
regular basis over an extended period of time, it's characterized by a special bond of mutual
commitment and try to resolve personal problems which can lead to delinquency (Stephen
Hamilton 1990). This quote supports my point because it shows that by mentorship you create a
big bond and that individual can help you with personal problems that can lead to delinquency.

8348082

This evidence shows that juvenile delinquency can be prevent personally or with additional
assistance to resolve a personal problems in a one-to-one relationship. Just like having a mentor
helps with personal problems and resolve unanswered question an adolescent might have a
guidance figure helps alot also, these two might sound very similar and that's because they are
but by origin there rootly different.
Guidance can help the juvenile find the correct path for every aspect of life and how to rely on
its inner self to prosper, they will help adolescents find what defines them and to be able to
discover their true inner self. Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them
to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better to discover with accuracy the
peculiar ability (Plato). Plato words show that guidance is a form of teaching a adolescent the
right from wrong if needed help and is a good way to mentor them to a better state of mind.
Platos saying reassures me that using force helps no one and definitely doesn't derail a troubled
teen to a dark path and we should dig deep so we can be able to prevent juvenile delinquency. A
parent can be described as a go to for help when needed, but what if the parent is someone that
you cant rely on? Will that affect a adolescent? Of course it will that's why having the
involvement of a Parent/Guardian in the prevention of delinquency is a good way to minimize
this problem.
A parent's involvement in the process of the prevention of adolescent to delinquent can
improve an adolescent participation and form a greater support system so they can help derail
their loved child from a dark path. Rhodes once said Parents involved in mentoring led to
increases in the levels of intimacy, communication, and trust - these improvements, in turn, led to
positive changes in a wide array of areas, such as the adolescents sense of self-worth and
scholastic achievement (J Rhodes 2002). Rhodes positions connects with me because it shows

8348082

that by having a parent's involvement in the prevention process and also personal involvement
can have a huge impact on how the adolescent will react to something and hopefully keep the
child away from delinquency. This piece shows that parents involvement can be a factor to
prevent juvenile delinquency by a simple action of imputing their useful tools. Mentoring can
help prevent juvenile delinquency and within mentoring there is the strategies such as the use of
guidance and also with the little help of parents input. A big fear in a community is having an
adolescent collapsing into criminal activities, but once a juvenile does another fear is for them
not to change and continue a routine that's why there is the tool such as rehabilitation that can
prevent any of it to occur.
Juvenile prevention comes in many shapes and forms, a form of prevention for collapsing
into criminal activities is rehabilitation. Rehabilitation can help a juvenile delinquent from
relapsing into criminal actions after leaving the juvenile justice system, and also helping them
stay out for good and not get tried in a Adult Criminal court, Rehabilitation can help with
restoration within their families and social life such as community. Rehabilitation is essential to
juvenile delinquents and reentry into mainstream society because being rehabilitated sets the
foundation to lead a healthy lifestyle in the community once out of the juvenile justice system
(Rosenborough 2005). Rehabilitation is vital because it helps one through the process of
rehabilitation there are necessary to obtain goals and the means of getting ones goals
accomplished in a legitimate way. That rehabilitation can help a lot with helping a juvenile
delinquent live a healthy lifestyle and prevent from a relapse. The help of rehabilitation can help
a lot with adolescents such as the goal for once completing the course.
Rehabilitation will help juvenile delinquents with a greater independence after a
delinquency.Rehabilitation is a necessary resource that is provided to juvenile delinquents to

8348082

help ease the reentry process back into society, Effective rehabilitation is important because it
helps to eliminate the vicious cycle of recidivism and proper rehabilitation can lead to juvenile
delinquent population not resorting to adult criminal activity (Lipsey 2000). This shows that its
a necessary resource to ease the reentry into society after everything they been through and help
they be stable within themselves. Also it shows that if a delinquent could ease back into society
that the juvenile delinquencies rates can drop, and help diminish a vicious cycle of recidivism.
Rehabilitation help also help with mental problems that developed over a period of time to the
juvenile.
Rehabilitation can restore or maintain mental health and help any problems that
developed over that period of time that the delinquent served. There are treatments and recovery
efforts for people in criminal and juvenile justice systems with mental and/or substance use
disorder (Samhsa). My research shows that rehab has a lot of treatment plans for people with
mental disorder due to their time in the juvenile justice system. Also this helps my big argument
because it shows that there are organization set to help these people so it's possible for a
delinquent to get better mentally and physically. Overall Rehabilitation can help juvenile to
better themselves so it can keep them out of trouble and set them on a path to good and not
destruction of society
Many other sources however, argue that Juvenile delinquency cannot be prevented and
will continue to be a major problem in our society due to recidivism. Ken Stier once said
Juvenile recidivism has long been stubbornly stuck around, within three years roughly 70
percent of these kids are back in trouble. This is showing that more than half of juvenile
delinquents end up back behind bars due to trouble they arose. What this argument overlooks is
the contributing factors of recidivism, many factors are caused because juvenile have a substance

8348082

disorder or mental disorder. What this argument fails to consider is that the incarnation journey
set them more behind than they first were incarcerated. What this argument does not into account
is the programs that are set up to help prevent recidivism and strategies that help prevent this
whole process from beginning. This view seems convincing at first but once you look into the
topic in depth you will see that over years those numbers can change with the help of outsiders.
While this position is popular, it is not logical because you should base your opinion on statistics
that aren't permanent, they can vary and change all the time so there isn't a reason you shouldn't
have hope. Just like statistics show that rates of recidivism are high and won't change also there
is high rates de to the effect the delinquency spent time in jail.
Many other sources believe that a criminal will always have a delinquent instinct and that
is an unfixable issue due to his/her recent time being in jail and or prison and will just go back to
its old basically saying that since they were treated a bad way in prison then once they get out
they will treat the outsiders the same way. What this argument overlooks is that there are
facilities that help them get out of the daily prison life routine and be able to live in the natural
environment with other peers. What is argument fails to consider is what they went through and
what it caused them mentally and how it affected them in the long run. This argument seems
convincing at first but when you realize the high effective rates that rehabilitation centers have
you will think otherwise bits and continue a pattern. David Chura once said How you treat
people is how they will act. Living under present day prison conditions, day after day, for years,
can only foster more bitterness, anger, and despair; can only result in more crime fueled by
vengeful feelings upon release. This is . While this position is popular its not logic because the
way your treated does affect you but that's why we have rehabilitation centers that focusing on
fixing that problem. Just like the effect of the time in jail can affect the rates of recidivism also

8348082

low job opportunities can affect it, people have needs and with low job rates it's hard to be able
to complete those needs.
Many sources claim that Low job opportunities due to criminal background leads to
criminal behavior because there is no income and there things to be handled. Howard Husock
once said tight job market and few employers willing to hire someone with a criminal record,
many former inmates are likely to end up right back behind bar. This is saying that the tight job
market has an impact on the reason for recidivism because convicted juvenile are faced with
economic problems and they lead to violence and trouble to get what they need.If people get
drawn back into the real world, get a job and make a living, studies show theyll be less likely to
go back to prison, This argument is convincing because it's true that low job rates lead to
desperation because there's no money to pay bills but it fails to mention that there are centers that
help you restore a somewhat good background and helps you get back into the workforce
environment.
Even though some people believe juvenile delinquency will continue to be a big problem
in our society, juvenile delinquency can be prevented with strategies such as prevention
programs, mentorship and rehabilitation centers. The prevention programs can offer much more
than just an after school activity it can offer services such as community correction centers which
will help with correcting the bad habits of an adolescent, another service would be helping
addictions and behavioral problems which will help with eliminating that factor so it won't drive
them to commit a delinquency. Prevention programs will have a huge impact on an adolescent
future because it's going to educate him/her how to be able to maintain a positive outlook and
teach them how to overcome difficult obstacles in life. The use of mentoring is a good way to
prevent juvenile delinquency due to the impact it has on an individual mental response. As

8348082

shown above it help them be able to work out any situations they have mentally and help them
have a greater mental purpose. Rehabilitation will help with prevention recidivism, as shown it
can be done with all the help they offer and strategies they take to have the rate of juvenile
delinquency recidivism drop dramastically. Overall there are many ways juvenile delinquency
can be prevented and should have light shined on and not just let statistics have a say if an
adolescent will commit a crime. We as a society can prevent juvenile delinquency, it won't be
easy it will be hard, time consuming and excausting but it will happen, juvenile delinquency can
be prevented and it will be prevented!

Cited Work
Gerstenblith, Stephanie. "Juveniles." Www.crimesolutions.gov. Development Service Group. Web.
Greenwood, P. (2008). Prevention and intervention programs for juvenile offenders. The Future of
Children, 18(2), 185210
Loeber, R. Farrington, D. P., & Petechuk, D. (2003). Child delinquency: Early intervention and prevention.
Washington, DC: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Retrieved from
http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/186162.pdf (pdf, 20 pages
Osher, D., Quinn, M. M., Poirier, J. M., & Rutherford, R. B. (2003). Deconstructing the pipeline: Using
efficacy and effectiveness data and cost-benefit analyses to reduce minority youth incarceration. New
Directions for Youth Development, 99, 91120.
Silverthorn, P., & Frick, P. J. (1999). Developmental pathways to antisocial behavior: The delayed-onset
pathway in girls. Development and Psychology, 11, 101126.

8348082
Kendziora, K. T., & Osher, D. M. (2004). Fostering resilience among youth in the juvenile justice system.
In C. S. Clauss-Ehler & M. D. Weist (Eds.), Community planning to foster resilience in children (177-195).
New York, NY: Kluwer Academic Publishers
Butts, J. A., Bazemore, G., & Meroe, S. A. (2010). Positive youth justice: Framing justice interventions
using the concepts of positive youth development. Washington, DC: Coalition for Juvenile Justice.
Retrieved fromhttp://nicic.gov/Library/024376 (pdf, 40 pages)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2001). Youth violence: A report of the Surgeon General.
Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved from http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/youthviolence/toc.html

Griffith, Susan. "CWRU Researchers Find Ohio's Diversion Program Effective in Helping Juvenile
Offenders with Mental Health Disorders, Substance Abuse and Other Problems | Think:blog." CWRU
Researchers Find Ohio's Diversion Program Effective in Helping Juvenile Offenders with Mental Health
Disorders, Substance Abuse and Other Problems | Think:blog. 5 Jan. 2015. Web. 04 Nov. 2015.

Hamilton, Stephen F. 1990. Apprenticeship for Adulthood. New York, NY: Free Press.

Rhodes, J. E. (2002). Stand by me: The risks and rewards of mentoring todays youth. Cambridge, MA:
Harvard University Press.

https://middleearthnj.wordpress.com/2015/01/19/fighting-juvenile-crime-the-facts-and-what-we-can-do-tochange-it/