I couldn 't be more grateful for the opportunity to experience Taylor County Juvenile Probation Department. Unfortunately, my internship did not start until the end of March due to a departmental audit. However, the experience and exposure I got within a month was enough to give the insight and information I needed in order to truly understand the job of a juvenile probation officer. What I had previous read in educational books regarding juvenile probation does not compare to the knowledge I gained when working with the Taylor County Juvenile Probation Department. During this month I had exposure to department policies, juvenile detention and probation, court hearings, intake, and the Taylor County Learning Center (TCLC). I was fortunate enough …show more content…
The database included demographics, crime committed, weekly meetings, detailed phone calls, and incident reports. There was also an area which indicated their likelihood to abuse drugs or alcohol and their mental state or concerns as indicated by a series of questions. Reports included family history and income. The files I was exposed to involved juveniles who had committed heinous crimes. Most of these crimes included murder or aggravated sexual assault. Most if not all of these children were sent to TJJD or given a determinant sentence as they were tried as an adult. The youngest offender I was exposed to was 10 years old. He was sent to TJJD and wont be released for another five to six years. When he is released the state will have to determine what they plan to do. In the information I received his mom has no involvement in his case and wants nothing to do with him. These cases are hard handle as the crime is so serious that the publics safety is questioned if this child is released. However, I question whether these children are given the opportunity to be rehabilitated in a setting like TJJD. When talking with the juvenile probation officer responsible for TJJD cases, her response was that these children showed very little indication that rehabilitation would be effective and with the offense they committed community resources were not suggested or …show more content…
This child was on probation for an assault of a public servant; however, the circumstances which surrounded her case lead the probation officer to believe her needs would be better addressed in a mental health facility and not juvenile probation. Her efforts to get the child help were exhausting as she did not have the proper documents or information to get this child the help she needed. The reason for our “crisis run” was because the child had threatened to kill herself. When we arrived at Jefferson Center, she was handcuffed in the back of the police car. However, after the child had calmed down the handcuffs were removed. The school had called her mom and requested her appearance as they continued to decided how to best handle the situation. After talking with the school counselor it was evident that during the weekend this child had violated probation. However, because the probation officer felt her needs would be better met in a mental health facility, the probation officer requested that the child be taken to Oceans Behavioral Hospital. Overall, I was very impressed with the way the child was handled and appreciated the approach taken by the probation
Peggy Beckstrand, deputy District attorney, sent her to adult court, but later reversed her decision once Judge Dorn got to her (Humes, 1996). Keesha did get the help she need, but it could have ended her up in prison. These kids went through everything just to have someone tell them they will either end up in prison or the cemetery. Judge Dorn might have thought that would have helped, but it just made them feel worse about themselves. Those kids needed encouragement, love, and help.
Because JYC focuses on the teen demonstrating an understanding of why their actions were wrong and helping them fix it, repeat offenders are rare (only 6-9% of offenders repeat within 6 months). Being a part of JYC has made me aware that some kids in our community are faced with significant challenges beyond the specific offense that brought them to JYC. These challenges include substance or alcohol abuse by the minor or their family, sexual or physical violence, family instability, neglect, or a frequent changing of schools.
There are indication that most criminals have a juvenile records in the US, indicating that crime manifests from a tender age. Therefore, to reverse the incidence of crime, it follows that the best strategy is to reduce the criminal orientation in the juvenile offenders as opposed to hardening them and preparing them for criminal careers. The case of the Crossroads Juvenile Center demonstrates the willingness of the juvenile justice systems to make these changes on the children. References Day, S. (2014). Runaway Man: A Journey Back to Hope.
They reason that these kids are too far-gone and can no longer be saved but that simply isn’t the case. The Times Magazine article states, “ Knighton was sent to the Better Outlook center… Because he was considered cooperative and well behaved Knighton had nearly two years shaved off his sentence” suggesting that these kids can get better. If we throw them in prison with serial killers and rapist, that may make the recovery process even more challenging. Of course, it will take time but with enough effort, these kids can learn to be stable human
The Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention and Protection Act (JJDPA) was established in 1974 and was the first federal law that dealt comprehensively with juvenile delinquency to improve the juvenile justice system and support state and local efforts at delinquency prevention. This paper will assess the JJDPA and summarize its purpose and implementation and enforcement. Next, there will be a discussion of the historical context of the policy; followed by a focus of the latent consequences. Finally there will be a vignette as to how this Act has affected a person or family as well as personal reflection toward the policy.
Per the website Study.com (n.d.), Juvenile Probation Officers’ primary job duties are supervising youth who have been in the juvenile justice system. Typically, these juvenile offenders have recently been released from juvenile detention and have returned to live with their families. The purpose of a Juvenile Probation Officer is to prevent the juvenile from reoffending. To prevent reoffending the Juvenile Probation Officer regularly meets with the juvenile and their families to ensure the juvenile is following the guidelines of the courts ("Juvenile Probation Officers | Job Description and Duties," n.d.).
Annotated bibliography Childress, S. (2016, June 2). More States Consider Raising the Age for Juvenile Crime. Retrieved from PBS: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/more-states-consider-raising-the-age-for-juvenile-crime/ More states are considering to raising the age for juvenile crimes before being tried as adult because young offender's mental capacity. The idea is to cut the cost of incarcerate young offender in adult prison and ensure offenders to receive proper education and specialized care to change their behavior. Putting children in adult prison does not deter crime.
There are times when almost everyone asks what is the purpose of a juvenile probation officer; what role juvenile probation officers have, and what happens when you are on probation under the age of 18 and how a juvenile probation officer works with you. If you or you know someone who is in trouble, knowing how probation works isn’t always a bad thing. The job of a juvenile probation officer is very meaningful. It involves performing several different duties and putting in a fair amount of hours, but it provides a unique opportunity to intervene in the lives of criminal offenders at a time when they may still be open to reform.
Field Study Research Interview: Christina Powers SF Public defender Juvenile Division As I went out and conducted concrete evidence of the juvenile justice system. I was able to talk to a San Francisco Public Defender that works at the Juvenile Division Center.
The juvenile justice system has made numerous of ethical issues when managing juvenile offenders. The issue with the juvenile justice system is the laws and rules that govern it. It has led to years of controversial debate over the ethical dilemmas of the juvenile corrections system, and how they work with youth offenders. The number of minors entering the juvenile justice system is increasing every month. The reasons why the juvenile justice system faces ethical dilemmas is important and needs to be addressed: (1) a vast proportion of juveniles are being tried and prosecuted as adults; (2) the psychological maturation of the juvenile to fully comprehend the justice system; and (3) the factors that contribute to minorities being adjudicated in the juvenile justice system are more likely than White offenders.
There are many children in the world who are being put behind bars and detained for alleged wrongdoing without protections they are entitled to. Throughout the world, children are charged and sentenced for actions that should not be considered as adult crimes. Here in the United States, the minimum age of criminal responsibility is age 12. Law enforcement officials and those in the juvenile justice system nationwide tend to mistreat underage individuals by trying cases while working through the lens of an adult. Unfair punishments are still handed down domestically, which is in violation of Supreme Court law.
Presenting Problem: Leslie is a 16 y/o female who is currently being detained until placement is found due eloping. Also has been demonstrated acting out behaviors, drug use, and association with gang member (which she denies affiliation with any gangs). Leslie struggles with her depression, self-injurious behaviors and association with negative peers. Yet, she frequently makes conflicting statements of wanting to do well and follow her home, school and community rules. Leslie was repeatedly confronted on her inability to be honest, skipping classes, associating with negative peers and substance abuse behaviors.
There are many children who recommit the crime after they are released from juvenile detention, and the ones released from jail are less likely to the crimes they did before. If the children are tried in adult court they are more likely to be sentenced to periods of incarceration. If a child is tried in adult court or in criminal court depends on what the crime was and how old the person offending was. The children who commit serious that aren’t tried in criminal court often reoffend and end up back where they were
Juvenile Justice Issues In today’s society the youth generation seems to be facing some problems that there is no solution for. Juveniles are participating in many wrongdoing activities that they are not being held accountable for. I see many gray areas when it comes to the juveniles justice system and I strongly believe there should be changes made in order to help these juveniles be deterred from such behavior so they do not continue down a path that can affect the rest of their lives.
(1994). JUVENILE OFFENDERS: WHAT WORKS? A Summary of Research