ABSTRACT
Juvenile offenders are caught in a multi-causal and largely impenetrable web of economic, community, and family problems. Perceptions of juvenile offenders as “superpredators” persisted well into the 1990s, even as the crime began to decelerate in 1995. The history of juvenile justice reflects the diversity and competition among political interest groups, much as it exists in many other sectors of our society. Historically, the liberal or “progressive” view of the state as protector of juveniles shaped the early philosophy of separate treatment of juvenile offenders in juvenile courts and correctional placements. Policies to control juvenile offenders in the United States were formulated a century ago as a philosophy that is separate and distinct from “adult justice.” The rehabilitative model allowed for provision of services to juveniles that de-emphasized their offenses and highlighted their treatment needs. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
