Juvenile Delinquency And Juvenile Criminal Justice System

Introduction: Juvenile delinquency is an ever growing issue in the United States, according to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, â€Å"In 2012, there were 3,941 arrests for every 100,000 youths ages 10 through 17 in the United States† (OJJDP, 2014). The way juveniles are treated in the criminal justice system is very different than the way adults are. In 1899, in Cook County, Illinois, the first juvenile justice system in the country was founded. This established an alternative way of dealing with offenders whom are inherently different, in the way they think and commit crimes, than those of adult age. There are a few distinct differences between the juvenile and adult criminal system, but the biggest difference is the†¦show more content†¦Seated at a desk, with the child at his side, where he can on occasion put his arm around his shoulder and draw the lad to him, the judge, while losing none of his judicial dignity, will gain immensely in the effectivenes s of his work (Mack, 1909). In an attempt to keep juveniles out of prisons and focus on reforming the offender, many different rehabilitation programs became popular. Boot camps are one of the most popular forms of crime prevention and rehabilitation for juvenile delinquency. Many people believe that these boot camps are a beneficial alternative, citing that they effectively reduce costs and recidivism rates. Whether or not these camps are effective is a highly debated issue and has been for several decades. After researching many different boot camps throughout the United States, the statistics are clear, they do not prove to be effective in reducing recidivism rates, helping change the behavior of the offenders, or reducing costs. Nonetheless, these programs enjoy continued popularity both on a government as well as a private level. Overview of Boot Camps: There are two different types of boot camps that aim to help juvenile offenders. One is viewed more punitively and the other is more focused on rehabilitation, though they both aim to reform the individual and help them re-enter society as a fully functioning member. â€Å"Thirty-three states established some sorts of shock incarceration