Comparing Community Juvenile Probation and Juvenile Detention Centers

Question

Compare community juvenile probation and juvenile detention centers. Evaluate the effectiveness of each. Support your answer with evidence from your reading or other primary sources. Integrate at least 1 biblical reference. Our required reading this week was Juvenile Delinquency the core 6th edition Siegel & Welsh: ch 14

Answer

Comparing Community Juvenile Probation and Juvenile Detention Centers                                                                                                 

Juvenile probation is a form of sentencing issued to minors, whereby they are allowed to remain in their homes and in their communities as opposed to being incarcerated or placed in detention centers. The sentencing judge determines the offender’s eligibility for probation based on previous offenses committed, if any, their severity and the juvenile’s observed behavior. Oftentimes, the court lays down rules or conditions that must be met by the offender during the probation period one of which is that he/she must report to an assigned probation officer (Lahey, Moffitt & Caspi, 2003). On the other hand, juvenile/youth detention centers are secure prisons/jails where minors who are waiting for court hearings or permanent placements in care facilities are housed. Holding offenders in juvenile detention centers ensures that they appear for all court proceedings, keeps them safe from the general public who might want to carry out retribution, and at the same time protects the community from potential harm from the offender (Siegel & Welsh, 2016).

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            The effectiveness of community juvenile probation arises mainly from its contribution in terms of offering an opportunity for the probation officer to provide close supervision in all aspects of the offender’s life from school behavior to social activities. It also helps to re-integrate juveniles back into the community and to initiate the healing process. On the other hand, juvenile detention centers are effective in situations where a juvenile is considered a ‘high-risk’ offender who may cause further harm to the members of the local community. This correction method provides security to both the child and the public. Moreover, detention centers shield offenders from negative influence and other external factors that may cause recurrence of criminal behavior (Siegel & Welsh, 2016). A good example of juvenile delinquency from the classical religious texts is the story of King David and his son Absalom. Absalom deeply resented his father’s injustice over his sister’s rape leading to a calculated plan later on to overthrow his government (The Holy Bible, 2 Samuel 12-18). Evidently, though, Absalom was King David’s delinquent son who ultimately died at war during the battle of the Woof of Ephraim while trying to carry out his plans. Questions may be raised as to whether King David should have used probation or detention approach to rein in on his delinquent son.

References

Lahey, B. B., Moffitt, T. E., & Caspi, A. (Eds.). (2003). Causes of conduct disorder and juvenile delinquency. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Siegel, L. J. & Welsh, B. C. (2016). Juvenile delinquency: The core. Washington, DC: 2016 – Nelson Education.

The Holy Bible. 2 Samuel 12-18. New International Version.