The methods that facilitate the collection of data on juvenile delinquency include UCR (Uniform Crime Report), crime victimization surveys, and self-report surveys (Leve et. al ., 2015). The UCR approach was institutionalized by the International Association of the Chiefs of Police (Mc Kee et. al ., 2014) in the year 1929 to achieve the exigency for a reliable and steady statistics of crime for the country. UCR is considered the largest database utilized for statistics in the U.S. UCR employs two major procedures for the collection of crime information: NIBRS (National Incident-Based Reporting System and the Traditional Summary Reporting System. The two procedures collects large amounts of data which are accessed by researchers, media, public, and others contemplating the crime levels in the U.S. The limitations associated with UCR data collection method include the fact that the information contained in the UCR is only inclusive of the reported crimes and the fact that not all crimes are usually reported. Secondly, property crimes are usually reported distinctively unlike the violent crimes. Thirdly, UCR defines crimes differently in different regions and this renders the data inaccurate. Lastly, under UCR, the populace never varies with the statistics; this renders the data inaccurate since the population statistics changes annually (Leve et. al ., 2015).
NIBRS is an incident-based data collection procedure which seeks to link extensive elements of data to the crime. NIBRS data has six classifications arrestee, victim, offense, administrative, offender, and property. NIBRS offers details on forty-six crimes and this enables a more precise reporting of the offense and an ameliorated capacity to assess other crime characteristics (Leve et. al ., 2015). Self-report surveys include surveys of the involvement of self-reported criminals; this procedure is not good since individuals tend to exaggerate about their crimes and whatever happens to them to render them victims as opposed to offenders. The victimization survey’s major purpose is to analyze the annual variations in incidences of crimes for a restricted set of major crimes and to categorize certain socio-economic impacts of the reported occurrences and their victims. Victimization survey is designed to assess the distribution, amount, and trends of crimes and victimizations. I believe the most reliable procedure for the collection of data on juvenile delinquency is the NIBRS data collection method.
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Evidence-based Juvenile Justice Programs is a juvenile offender program which involves the following strategies: Functionality Family Therapy, Aggression Replacement Training, Multi-Systematic Therapy, Coordination of Services, Restorative Justice, and Family Integrated Transitions (Mc Kee et. al., 2014). Evidence-based Juvenile Justice Programs enables the assessment of risks and needs to guide the decisions of the case. Secondly, this justice strategy fosters intrinsic motivations in that it prepares juveniles for treatment and interventions and keeps juveniles engaged through the utilization of strength-based strategies, sanctions and incentives, and motivational interviewing. Thirdly, the approach targets interventions which enhance protective characteristics that serves as barriers to future misconduct and enhances responsibility characteristics. Fourthly, the approach enhances the development of skills through actual practice. The approach also seeks to foster positive reinforcement whereby, incentives are used to encourage pro-social behavior and attitudes. The approach also engages juveniles in the ongoing support in communities. Lastly, the strategy facilitates the measurement of practices and processes (Leve et. al ., 2015).
The two sociological theories include Classical theory and the Interactionist theory (William et al, 2017). The Classical theory argues that crime is caused by one’s free will. The theory denotes that humans are rational and that they often make decisions freely with a detailed comprehension of the consequences. The theory relates crime to immoral type of human deportment and it emphasizes on the need of punishment as a way of preventing crimes. The theory is effective in dealing with juveniles through the infliction of punishment on juvenile offenders; this includes strict criminal laws, prison sentences, and greater penalties for juvenile offenders. The Interactionist theory is based on the argument that the association with other criminals is the contributing factor to criminal conducts among people. The theory associates the inadequacy of social responsibilities and the lack of self-direction to criminal behaviors. The theory also denotes that criminals have the duty and capacity to change their behaviors and it insists on the need for opportunities for positive interaction with community to enable them choose lawful and productive behaviors (William et al, 2017). To juveniles, the theory could be applied through enhancing community interventions, development of skills, and positive reinforcements.
References
Leve, L., Chamberlain, P., & Kim, H. (2015). Risks, Outcomes, and Evidence-Based Interventions for Girls in the US Juvenile Justice System. Clinical Child & Family Psychology Review , 18(3), 252-279. doi:10.1007/s10567-015-0186-6
McKee, E. C., & Rapp, L. (2014). The Current Status of Evidence-Based Practice in Juvenile Justice. Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work , 11(4), 308-317. doi:10.1080/10911359.2014.897099
Williams, A. B., Ryan, J. P., Davis-Kean, P. E., McLoyd, V. C., & Schulenberg, J. E. (2017). The Discontinuity of Offending Among African American Youth in the Juvenile Justice System. Youth & Society , 49(5), 610-633.
