Crime Causation And Diversion Research Paper
Crime Causation and Diversion
Name: Carla Johnson
Course: CJA/403
Date: Jan. 14, 2012
Instructor: Mr. D. Wolfgang
Causation and Diversion Within the last several years, statistics have proven that there has been a constant increase in the amount of crimes being committed by juveniles. The office of Juvenile and Delinquency Prevention compiles arrest information that they receive from law enforcement agencies around the county. Every four years the OJJDP offer statistics found in there reports. Although the reports are not 100% accurate, it does provide an accurate pattern in juvenile crimes. A significant amount of juveniles were arrested due to thefts, simple assaults, drug abuse, disorderly conduct, and curfew violations. In 1999, …show more content…
approximately 2,468,800 juvenile were arrested, an alarming 380,500 were arrested for theft, drug abuse violation accounted for 198,400, and violent crimes accounted for 103,900 of the total arrest. The issue concerning juvenile crime has become alarming for parents, citizens of the community, law enforcement, and elected officials. We may ask ourselves why so many young children are resorting to criminal behavior. Is it the music they listen to, the movies on television, peer pressure, parental guidance, or the lack thereof? Many adults believe that tomorrow is the future for many children, but for adults it’s just another day. There have been theories created to try and define their acts. We are aware that a theory is a supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something that based on general principles. It is based on hypothesis and backed by evidence. Although research has been completed, and the experts have provided their opinions, we have to agree that there is not a single solution. We must also understand that no clear explanation has been reported. One thing we are sure of is majority of our delinquent juveniles live in poverty stricken areas, because they are exposed to more violence, and they began to feel that it is the way of life. Hanging with the wrong crowd will cause them to do almost anything in order to be accepted. Becoming a victim of a broken home is also a major risk factor for delinquent juveniles. Whatever the reason is, there are several juveniles that need guidance. There are programs throughout the United States that have been implement to try and divert, intervene, or even prevent the child from ruining their life. Some programs or offered free of charge, others ask for a donations. The idea is, adults to know how to use their resources and obtain help for our at risk children. Throughout this paper I will discussion at least two diversions, intervention, or prevention programs that are offered in Houston, Texas. I will also address why the program should work to reduce juvenile crime based on analysis of the relationship between program premise and goals as well as one or more major cause of juvenile delinquent behavior.
Explanation of Programs Offered The words diversions, intervention, or prevention or very similar, “diversion” is the process of channeling a person or persons in another direction.
“Intervention” is an orchestrated attempt by others to convince a person or persons to seek professional help. The word “prevention” clearly means the ability of intervening from occurrence. Most juveniles, who commit crimes at a very early age, are introduced to preventative programs that are offered to redirect their lives. There are programs that are offered for delinquent juveniles who may need diversion, intervention and preventive measures. District Attorney Pat Lycos announced the implantation of a Juvenile Non-Petition Deferred Prosecution Program effective. Monday, March 2nd. The objective of this program is to ensure that the first offender juvenile who commit non-violent misdemeanor offenses are not charged with a crime, but instead are diverted to community supervision program. Once they have successfully completed, criminal charges would not be filed. Also, juveniles who committed a class A or B misdemeanor offence will be eligible as well unless a weapon was involved in the commission of their crime. Violence committed against someone, the juvenile was intoxicated, or they committed a burglary of a motor vehicle. In order to be eligible the juvenile case has to be reviewed by Harris County District Attorney’s Office, They will then contact the parents inform them of their rights; gather social, and family history. The family must be actively involved with this program. The purpose is to guide the youth away from delinquent behavior, conduct themselves responsibly, in hopes they will become productive law abiding
citizens. There was also a program implemented in order to break the delinquent cycle. The county launched a pilot program to get juveniles with mental health needs out of the criminal system and into an intensive program at home. The program matches the child and his family with a juvenile probation officer, a counselor and Tri-County Mental Health Mental Retardation case manager. The team provides treatment and counseling four times a week. State lawmakers approved $50 million over the next two years to support juvenile diversion programs. About a dozen juveniles have gone through the six-month program, and only two have gone back into detention for noncompliance. Many of the juveniles have been previously diagnosed and take psychotropic medications, and some have never had mental health services. Harris County plans to use its state grant money to develop other mental health diversion program. It will use care teams consisting of a parent partner and a mental health provider to work with juveniles and their families in the home. The partner is a parent who has a child with mental health issues. The county also plans to purchase psychiatric services for a transitional care program to make sure juveniles who leave detention are not without services while they try to connect with an outside provider.
Cause of Juvenile Crime
Hoge, Andrews, and Leschied tested three hypotheses with respect to delinquent behavior. They worked with a sample of 338 youth in their study. There conclusions were; there are parents who give poor directions to children, fail to structure their behavior and do not reward or punish appropriately. Their prediction was that the highest levels of antisocial behavior would occur where poor attachment between parent and child was combined with poor controls.” (Hoge, Andrews, and Leschied, 1994, p. 547).
Juvenile delinquency continues to confound a broad range of behavioral specialists the world over. Some point to child abuse as a key factor while others suggest that child abuse alone is not a predictor of delinquency. There are some theorists who indicate that socio-economic conditions combined with peer influences can be an enormous factor in the development of delinquent behavior some possible factors that can contribute to these acts could be substance abuse, family, psychological, and individual issues. The factors behind individual issues include lower intelligence, impulsive behavior, poorly educated, and an issue with uncontrollable aggression (Broemmel, M., 2010). Conclusion It is evident that as times have changed so have or young children. We very seldom hear youth say “yes sir” or “no sir”. Please, thank, and excuse me are becoming obsolete. The juveniles who are taught manners are facing difficult obstacles each and every day. I believe that all juveniles need someone to talk to and confide in. Just recently my daughter who is 15 years old joined C2, which is a group that was started for Christian teens. We meet every Monday the group is led by a minister in his early 20’s. The parents and children talk about issues, pray for troubled teens and discuss religion. Our children are in courage to reach out to the church if they do not feel comfortable talking to their parents. We provide phone number to counselors, runaway hot lines, and drug and sexual abuse. I’m not sure how successful it will become, but we all agree that we must deter them from delinquent behavior before they consider becoming involved. If actions are not taken in assisting our youth in making a change now the problem will escalate and will eventually take over and destroy their possible future.
Reference
Broemmel, M. What Are the Causes of Juvenile Delinquency? (2010). Retrieved
January 14, 2012 http://www.ehow.com/about_5103746_causes-juvenile-delinquency_.html
Brown, C. Avoiding A Criminal Record – What is a Diversion? (2010). Retrieved
January 14, 2012 from http://ezinearticles.com/?Avoiding-A-Criminal-Record---What-is-a-Diversion?&id=444151
Butts, J., & Buck, J. Teen Court a Focus of Research (2000). Retrieved January 14, 2012 from http://www.ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/
Clouser, M. Teen Court/Peer Jury: A Positive Model of Peer Pressure (1996). Retrieved
January 14, 2012 from http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/abstractdb/AbstractDBDetails.aspx?id=173695 January 14, 2012 from http://www.lcyic.com/Programming%20and%20Services.htm
Name: Carla Johnson
Course: CJA/403
Date: Jan. 14, 2012
Instructor: Mr. D. Wolfgang
Causation and Diversion Within the last several years, statistics have proven that there has been a constant increase in the amount of crimes being committed by juveniles. The office of Juvenile and Delinquency Prevention compiles arrest information that they receive from law enforcement agencies around the county. Every four years the OJJDP offer statistics found in there reports. Although the reports are not 100% accurate, it does provide an accurate pattern in juvenile crimes. A significant amount of juveniles were arrested due to thefts, simple assaults, drug abuse, disorderly conduct, and curfew violations. In 1999, …show more content…
approximately 2,468,800 juvenile were arrested, an alarming 380,500 were arrested for theft, drug abuse violation accounted for 198,400, and violent crimes accounted for 103,900 of the total arrest. The issue concerning juvenile crime has become alarming for parents, citizens of the community, law enforcement, and elected officials. We may ask ourselves why so many young children are resorting to criminal behavior. Is it the music they listen to, the movies on television, peer pressure, parental guidance, or the lack thereof? Many adults believe that tomorrow is the future for many children, but for adults it’s just another day. There have been theories created to try and define their acts. We are aware that a theory is a supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something that based on general principles. It is based on hypothesis and backed by evidence. Although research has been completed, and the experts have provided their opinions, we have to agree that there is not a single solution. We must also understand that no clear explanation has been reported. One thing we are sure of is majority of our delinquent juveniles live in poverty stricken areas, because they are exposed to more violence, and they began to feel that it is the way of life. Hanging with the wrong crowd will cause them to do almost anything in order to be accepted. Becoming a victim of a broken home is also a major risk factor for delinquent juveniles. Whatever the reason is, there are several juveniles that need guidance. There are programs throughout the United States that have been implement to try and divert, intervene, or even prevent the child from ruining their life. Some programs or offered free of charge, others ask for a donations. The idea is, adults to know how to use their resources and obtain help for our at risk children. Throughout this paper I will discussion at least two diversions, intervention, or prevention programs that are offered in Houston, Texas. I will also address why the program should work to reduce juvenile crime based on analysis of the relationship between program premise and goals as well as one or more major cause of juvenile delinquent behavior.
Explanation of Programs Offered The words diversions, intervention, or prevention or very similar, “diversion” is the process of channeling a person or persons in another direction.
“Intervention” is an orchestrated attempt by others to convince a person or persons to seek professional help. The word “prevention” clearly means the ability of intervening from occurrence. Most juveniles, who commit crimes at a very early age, are introduced to preventative programs that are offered to redirect their lives. There are programs that are offered for delinquent juveniles who may need diversion, intervention and preventive measures. District Attorney Pat Lycos announced the implantation of a Juvenile Non-Petition Deferred Prosecution Program effective. Monday, March 2nd. The objective of this program is to ensure that the first offender juvenile who commit non-violent misdemeanor offenses are not charged with a crime, but instead are diverted to community supervision program. Once they have successfully completed, criminal charges would not be filed. Also, juveniles who committed a class A or B misdemeanor offence will be eligible as well unless a weapon was involved in the commission of their crime. Violence committed against someone, the juvenile was intoxicated, or they committed a burglary of a motor vehicle. In order to be eligible the juvenile case has to be reviewed by Harris County District Attorney’s Office, They will then contact the parents inform them of their rights; gather social, and family history. The family must be actively involved with this program. The purpose is to guide the youth away from delinquent behavior, conduct themselves responsibly, in hopes they will become productive law abiding
citizens. There was also a program implemented in order to break the delinquent cycle. The county launched a pilot program to get juveniles with mental health needs out of the criminal system and into an intensive program at home. The program matches the child and his family with a juvenile probation officer, a counselor and Tri-County Mental Health Mental Retardation case manager. The team provides treatment and counseling four times a week. State lawmakers approved $50 million over the next two years to support juvenile diversion programs. About a dozen juveniles have gone through the six-month program, and only two have gone back into detention for noncompliance. Many of the juveniles have been previously diagnosed and take psychotropic medications, and some have never had mental health services. Harris County plans to use its state grant money to develop other mental health diversion program. It will use care teams consisting of a parent partner and a mental health provider to work with juveniles and their families in the home. The partner is a parent who has a child with mental health issues. The county also plans to purchase psychiatric services for a transitional care program to make sure juveniles who leave detention are not without services while they try to connect with an outside provider.
Cause of Juvenile Crime
Hoge, Andrews, and Leschied tested three hypotheses with respect to delinquent behavior. They worked with a sample of 338 youth in their study. There conclusions were; there are parents who give poor directions to children, fail to structure their behavior and do not reward or punish appropriately. Their prediction was that the highest levels of antisocial behavior would occur where poor attachment between parent and child was combined with poor controls.” (Hoge, Andrews, and Leschied, 1994, p. 547).
Juvenile delinquency continues to confound a broad range of behavioral specialists the world over. Some point to child abuse as a key factor while others suggest that child abuse alone is not a predictor of delinquency. There are some theorists who indicate that socio-economic conditions combined with peer influences can be an enormous factor in the development of delinquent behavior some possible factors that can contribute to these acts could be substance abuse, family, psychological, and individual issues. The factors behind individual issues include lower intelligence, impulsive behavior, poorly educated, and an issue with uncontrollable aggression (Broemmel, M., 2010). Conclusion It is evident that as times have changed so have or young children. We very seldom hear youth say “yes sir” or “no sir”. Please, thank, and excuse me are becoming obsolete. The juveniles who are taught manners are facing difficult obstacles each and every day. I believe that all juveniles need someone to talk to and confide in. Just recently my daughter who is 15 years old joined C2, which is a group that was started for Christian teens. We meet every Monday the group is led by a minister in his early 20’s. The parents and children talk about issues, pray for troubled teens and discuss religion. Our children are in courage to reach out to the church if they do not feel comfortable talking to their parents. We provide phone number to counselors, runaway hot lines, and drug and sexual abuse. I’m not sure how successful it will become, but we all agree that we must deter them from delinquent behavior before they consider becoming involved. If actions are not taken in assisting our youth in making a change now the problem will escalate and will eventually take over and destroy their possible future.
Reference
Broemmel, M. What Are the Causes of Juvenile Delinquency? (2010). Retrieved
January 14, 2012 http://www.ehow.com/about_5103746_causes-juvenile-delinquency_.html
Brown, C. Avoiding A Criminal Record – What is a Diversion? (2010). Retrieved
January 14, 2012 from http://ezinearticles.com/?Avoiding-A-Criminal-Record---What-is-a-Diversion?&id=444151
Butts, J., & Buck, J. Teen Court a Focus of Research (2000). Retrieved January 14, 2012 from http://www.ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/
Clouser, M. Teen Court/Peer Jury: A Positive Model of Peer Pressure (1996). Retrieved
January 14, 2012 from http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/abstractdb/AbstractDBDetails.aspx?id=173695 January 14, 2012 from http://www.lcyic.com/Programming%20and%20Services.htm