Juvenile Delinquency & OJJDP
When did Juvenile Delinquency become an epidemic in the United States?
In 1974.
Why do teens take more risks than adults?
Their brains aren't fully developed yet. This makes it harder for them to control impulses, especially when they are stressed or being pressured by friends.
What are the three main differences in adolescent behavior identified by researchers?
Less self-control in emotional moments, 2) high sensitivity to peer pressure, and 3) a struggle to make decisions based on future consequences.
What are the three main goals of these juvenile justice improvements?
Better outcomes, safety, and saving money
If you are on a race and you pass the person in second place, what place are you in?
Second place
Why was the OJJDP created?
There was a lack of rehabilitation and prevention for juvenile delinquents.
Is juvenile delinquency usually a lifelong thing?
No. Most youth "mature out" of these behaviors as they grow up and their identity settles. It’s usually a temporary phase of development.
Has the use of juvenile institutions increased or decreased lately?
It has been declining for over 20 years as states realize that large-scale incarceration isn't effective for youth.
Should there be more community programs or more detention?
More community programs and less use of detention
what is the capital city of Missouri?
Jefferson City
What does OJJDP stand for?
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
Why are experts against large juvenile confinement facilities?
They don’t work. These big facilities tend to reinforce bad habits and worsen the trauma that these kids have already experienced.
What does "restoring jurisdiction" to juvenile courts mean?
It means moving cases back to the juvenile system instead of automatically sending kids to adult court, focusing on their specific developmental needs.
What happens when the age is raised?
More teens are handled in Juvenile court
What is the current U.S. president number?
47
What are the 5 strategies in OJJDP?
1. Strengthening families, 2. supporting institutions that make teens more capable and mature, 3. promote delinquency prevention, 4. have immediate intervention when delinquency occurs, and 5. take identification and control of groups of violent juvenile offenders.
What is a "realignment strategy"?
It’s a way to restructure the system so that changes are long-lasting and can't be easily reversed by future policymakers.
Why is "treatment effectiveness" a big deal in these studies?
Because research shows that treatment and community-based support prevent future crimes much better than just locking someone away.
What kind of help should youth with mental health needs get?
They should get more mental health support
In what decade were the Venona Papers available to the public?
1990s.
Which of the 5 strategies is a cost effective approach?
Promotion of delinquency prevention.
Why is this issue bringing different political parties together?
Because it hits three big goals: it’s cheaper for the state (fiscal responsibility), it keeps communities safer, and it actually helps the kids.
What is the "original principle" of the juvenile court?
The original goal was reformation—helping a young person change their path rather than just punishing them like an adult.
What is the goal regarding racial and ethnic inequality?
To reduce disparities and address racial and ethnic inequality
What is the only discovered venomous, egg laying, mammal?
The platypus.