Should youth justice seek to reform or to punish the offender?

MikeGolf

A combination of both.

The punishment is to get the person to learn that his actions will not be tolerated by the rest of society.

The reform part is to provide him with the means to change himself.

The thing to remember is that we cannot reform another person. That person must reform himself.

And some people are simply never going to reform.

Kibber

Look, parents are the ones that teach the right and wrong way to do things. If the parents have not taught the child that there is punishment for doing things wrong, then the public must do the punishing and the teaching that when you do something wrong you pay the penalty. There are a milliion reformed youths out there that are back in jail because they have been reformed. Obviously the trained people that marked them reformed were wrong. There are a million new victims, that would not be victims if the criminal had not been taught by the system that what they did was not really their fault. Instead they wer taught the system they grew up with, understands that they are not old enough or mature enough to pay for their crimes. WHERE ARE THE PARENTS FOR CRYING OUT LOUD. THEY ARE THE ONES REPSONSIBLE FOR THE CHILDREN COMMITTING THE CIRMES FOR CRYING OUT LOUD !

Doethineb

The whole emphasis is on reform and rehabilitation. Boredom and lack of attention from those around them are common factors in youth crime and it is vital to address that problem. (I have actually seen a young offender (not in the UK) fighting back his tears when I gave him a present of a book, as nobody ever gave him presents.) In the past we had approved schools and Borstal training: these were succeeded by Young Offender Institutions which also emphasise the training aspect. On the other hand, it is vital not to give the impression that going to such an institution is rather like being admitted to an exclusive boarding school: the regime must be tough and privileges need to be earned. Every young offender who is locked up should emerge at the other end with some kind of proof that he has bettered his position while inside.

Debbie

I think it depends on the crime. Some are worth saving and therefore should go thru extensive counseling.

stanthemansmum

Both. Punishment is to set an example to others and also as a deterrent against doing such behaviour again. Reform is to teach a different type of behaviour which is less likely to result in court appearance and punishment.

tincoatr

That depends on the age of the offender, the severity of the crime, and previous criminal activity. Generally speaking, a youth offender should be given every opportunity to reform and as much assistance as possible. The transition should move from reform toward punishment if the offender is a repeat criminal or the crime is particularly heinous.

old.holly265

As Mike Golf has said, it's a combination of both. I could trot out a boring lecture here, but won't: instead, I will point you to the link (below), where the YJB gives its fuller version of what it is all about.

erskine

Hi there
Youth Justice should be a way for the young offender to make reparation for their misdeeds and to shape them to a more positive way of life in the future.
Programmes could include talking with their victim so they can appreciate the impact their crimes have had. This can be a particularly effective way to reshape a young offender's life and aspirations for the future.
I feel the programme should include elements of education and retraining to make the young person more likely to be employable in the future.
Should the programme merely seek to "punish" the young person then this will only further brutalise already brutalised youth.
Look at the Childrens Society PACE Project that was set up in 1982. Prior to this there was no Juvenile Justice scheme in the UK. I find it interesting that Juvenile Justice went on to be named the Youth Offending Team. Only a name change but a subtle difference in emphasis.
Good luck with your studies.
Best wishes from Sue

Lou

In my oppinion, always reform. People can be changed and deserve second chances. Crime is usually the result of social degredation/family problems, not the person being a 'monster'.
Reform reform reform!

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