Predictors of Juvenile Crime and Violence: A Discussion on How Juvenile Crimes Could be Predicted and How Restorative Justice Helps Along the Way

Predictors of Juvenile Crime and Violence Pamela D . Bost November 19 , 2007 Introduction Restorative justice focuses on the repair of harm done or caused by a criminal behavior Incarceration has resulted in 1 .96 million prisoners in the United States , 1 .4 million in China and 0 .9 million in Russia The number of prisoners worldwide has soared to over 8 million , yet the crime rate in many countries has not significantly diminished Review of Literature Theory on justice (Zehr , 2002 1 ) Crime is an offense against people and it creates

an obligation to make things right 2 ) Victims and communities should help decide how to repair the harm caused by a crime 3 ) Offenders have a personal responsibility to victims and communities for their crimes 4 ) Communities are responsible for the well- being of victims and offenders 5 ) Results are best measured by the extent to which harm was repaired , not by the severity of the punishment that was imposed

Review of Literature Practices involved in the application of restorative justice programs (Van Ness , 2006 1 . identifying and taking steps to repair harm 2 . involving all stakeholders 3 . transforming the traditional relationship between communities and their governments in responding to crime

Programs involved in the application of restorative justice practices (Macrae , 2004 1 . Victim offender mediation - offenders and victims are joined together for reconciliation 2 . Conferencing - community rejoins the ties of both the offender and the victim 3 . Circles - several groups assist in the reformation processes 4 . Victim assistance - community council assists victim 's recovery from crime 5 . Ex-offender assistance - community assists in reformation of offender 6 . Restitution - offender is transformed back to his individuality before committing a crime 7 . Community service - offender is encouraged to reform himself by serving the community Research Hypothesis The theory of restorative justice can help in the reduction of incarceration rates not only in developed countries but also in underdeveloped units of the society An alternative way of dealing with wrong doers could bring better results than simply incarcerating offenders Dependent variable : Reformation of offender Independent variable : Programs for restorative justice

Research Design A literature search of journals and books will be performed on restorative justice cases based in Milwaukee and Outagamie Counties Review of results of the following rehabilition programs for juvenile offenders `HALT ' Program - work or damage compensation of at least 20 hours on the by offender in to realize the grave effect of his committed crime Community Service Program - teaches offender of concept of responsibility based on behavior Work to Compensate for Damages Involved - teaches offender to carry a more positive and fare outlook Learning Scheme - educates offender to adjust and in society Analysis of Data Journals and books will be reviewed A survey among police officers involved in rehabilitating the inmates will be interviewed Rehabilition programs for juvenile offenders will be assessed in terms of results in rehabilitating juvenile offenders 1 . Offender has transformed to a better individual 2 . Offender has not transformed to a better individual

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