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Informing juvenile justice policy: directions for behavioral science research
J L Woolard1, M R Fondacaro, C Slobogin
1Center for Studies in Criminology and Law, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA. jwoolard@crim.ufl.edu
Law and Human Behavior
|March 30, 2001
Summary
This article examines the juvenile justice system, evaluating hypotheses on adolescent treatability, culpability, and deterrence to support rehabilitation. It suggests research improvements for juvenile interventions.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Developmental Psychology
- Public Policy
Background:
- Recent policy shifts challenge the rehabilitative role of the juvenile justice system.
- The article addresses potential elimination or reduction of the juvenile court's mission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a framework for empirically assessing policy changes affecting the juvenile court.
- To evaluate evidence supporting the distinct treatment of juveniles based on treatability, culpability, and deterrence.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of empirical evidence.
- Hypothetical analysis of juvenile characteristics (treatability, culpability, deterrence) compared to adults.
- Identification of research gaps and methodological improvements for juvenile interventions.
Main Results:
- Analysis of hypotheses supporting a separate, rehabilitation-focused juvenile court.
- Identification of key areas for research to strengthen the justification for juvenile rehabilitation.
Conclusions:
- The empirical assessment framework can guide policy decisions regarding the juvenile justice system.
- Further research is needed to refine intervention strategies and justify the continued existence of a rehabilitation-oriented juvenile court.
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