Juvenile Justice System Portfolio

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Hi,

Interesting assignment! One approach to helping you with an assingment like this one si to provide you with information from various source (and other links) for each section of the portfolio, which you can consider for your final copy. This is the approach this response takes. I also attached two supporting articles for consideration.

Let's take a closer look.

RESPONSE:

Have you given some though to the target group that you want to focus on? Let's look at drug offenders as an example.

Juvenile is an offender who was at least 12 but less than 18 years old at the time of offense. However, juvenile jurisdiction continues until age 19. http://www.doc.state.mn.us/aboutdoc/stats/carddefinitions.htm

Target Group: Drug offenders e.g. non-violent offences

I. PROFILE AND RISK FACTORS

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2005 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS), 38.4% of high school students surveyed nationwide used marijuana during their lifetime. This is down from 40.2% in 2003 and 42.4% in 20015 (http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/juveniles/index.html).
According to the 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, youths who participated in activities during the past year were less likely to have used drugs in the past month than youths who did not participate in activities. Among youths aged 12 to 17 who participated in two or more youth activities (for example, band, sports, student government, or dance lessons), 10.4% had used an illicit drug in the past month. Among youths indicating one or no youth activities in the past year, 17.9% reported past month illicit drug use6 (http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/juveniles/index.html).

RISK and PROTECTIVE FACTORS:

The following risk and protective factors are for delinquency, which includes the drug use and offenses. Often, youth who use drugs are also involved in other criminal behavior.

1. INDIVIDUAL FACTORS

§ Early Onset (ages 6-11)

General offenses
Substance use
Being male
Aggression**
Hyperactivity
Problem (antisocial) behavior
Exposure to television violence
Medical, physical problems
Low IQ
Antisocial attitudes, beliefs
Dishonesty**

§ Late Onset (ages 12-14)

General offenses
Restlessness
Difficulty concentrating**
Risk taking
Aggression**
Being male
Physical violence
Antisocial attitudes, beliefs
Crimes against persons
Problem (antisocial) behavior
Low IQ
Substance use

§ Protective Factor*

Intolerant attitude toward deviance
High IQ
Being female
Positive social orientation
Perceived sanctions for ...