Another voice/ Child welfare
William J. Morgan Jr.: Placement of juveniles important for safety of society
The liberal philosophy of criminal and juvenile justice is not working in New York State, as demonstrated by the murder of a youth worker in Lockport and the increase of police calls to a youth home in Amherst.
Not only is a more dangerous situation created for the community that hosts these institutions and the underpaid and understaffed youth workers, it further consumes law enforcement resources that may be otherwise utilized in the community.
Although New York State lauds a major drop due to its “crime control policies,” this is code for permissiveness and improper placement of criminals and juveniles in the criminal justice system.
The civil system, where juveniles are diverted, is concerned with stigmatizing juveniles with the label of juvenile delinquent — or of criminal if the case were removed to adult court. Juveniles are placed based on the crime of conviction and their perceived needs (educational, vocational, substance abuse, counseling).
Juveniles need proper placement based on their juvenile/criminal record rather than on balancing their behavior with their needs. Foremost, and the paramount concern in placing juveniles in secure or non-secure detention, is the safety of society.
A longitudinal study conducted from the 1940s through the 1960s of juvenile boys with a proclivity for anti-social criminal behavior showed that eventually most rejoined to proactive, law-abiding behavior as they aged into men. The statistics found that 6 percent to 7 percent of that cohort continued criminal behavior into their 20s and beyond. These statistics have not changed significantly over time except for the perceptions of government.
Unfortunately, society has an unrealistic expectation that every wayward youth can be saved and can become a productive member of society.
The responsibility of the juvenile system is to assist in the creation of compliant citizens under the theory of parens patriae, or to make children wards of the state because they cannot care for themselves.
Most juveniles are rehabilitated with time; treatment proceeds faster if youths facilitate the process.
The system focuses mainly on the few who cause the majority of the problems. Proper placement and structure are only a few key components. Proper staffing, with proper training, is an integral part of structure that scrutinizes every behavior and movement of these children.
Because of natural population growth, and as juveniles become bold in their behavior and dangerous in their actions due to the permissiveness of society, we will need to revert to the juvenile practices of the past to save lives and resources.
These thoughts are in memory of Renee Greco, and for her family.
William J. Morgan Jr. is a criminal justice instructor at Erie Community College and a doctoral student at Capella University.
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