DOES THE REHABILITATION METHOD AFFECT THE SUCCESS RATE OF JUVENILE DELINQUENTS?

Does the Rehabilitation Method affect the Success Rate Of Juvenile Delinquents?



Does the rehabilitation method affect the success rate of juvenile delinquents?

Introduction

In today's society crime is an aspect of life that is present whether it is acknowledged or ignored. Crime is being committed more frequently and more often by adolescents. Juvenile delinquency has been on the rise and yet as delinquency rises so does the number of delinquents that go to correctional facilities to serve time for the crimes they have committed. Research shows that previously incarcerated youth return to the justice system at alarmingly high rates (Sametz, Ahren, Yuan, 1994). Eventually incarceration youth have to come out of the correctional facilities and be re-intergraded back into mainstream society once time has been served. This inquiry attempts to examine current rehabilitation methods and the affect on juvenile delinquents (Payne, 2007, 127-149).

Problem Statement

Juvenile delinquents are coming into the juvenile justice system with an array of problems that have caused them to commit delinquent acts (Mincey, Maldonado, Lacey, &Thompson, 2008). Once juvenile delinquents finish their sentience, they must re-enter society. Correctional facilities that over see the rehabilitation process for juvenile delinquents have to address problems that include:

a. Receiving adequate treatment that rehabilitates the juvenile offender so they are less likely to recidivate

b. Making sure the juvenile delinquent has realistic and obtainable resources and means to make it in society

c. Making sure the juvenile delinquent is fully aware and ready for the transition back into society

Many juvenile delinquents, male and female are faced with issues such as poverty, substance abuse, and being victims of child abuse and rape (Mincey et al., 2008). Any of these issues can trigger the juvenile to lash out and commit delinquent acts. The question is what happens next? The juvenile delinquent commits the delinquent act, is found guilty, and they serve time in a correctional facility (Cole, 2005,).

Purpose of Inquiry and Inquiry Questions

The purpose of this inquiry is to examine current rehabilitative programs and therapeutic methods employed to assist juvenile delinquents with re-entering mainstream society. Specifically, this research will examine the techniques, rehabilitative programs, and the use of therapeutic models to assess the effectiveness of programs in addressing the personal needs of juvenile delinquents such as substance abuse treatment, job placement , skills training, housing, social interactions with peers and family, and proper therapeutic treatment.( Cole, 2005) The following research questions guided this inquiry:

a. Does the rehabilitation method affect the sucess rate of juvenile delinquents?

b. What is being done to help juvenile delinquents lead a more positive life as opposed to recidivating to crime and or delinquent acts again?

c. Are rehabilitative methods effective enough to cause juvenile delinquents to live better lives or possibly lead lives filled with criminal activity?

Literature Review

The purpose of the analysis and discussion of the literature and presentation of framework is to get a deeper understanding of rehabilitation methods and the effect on juvenile delinquents. Different alternatives for rehabilitation will be examined to show how ...