Reducing Juvenile Cases in California: Interventions & Prevention Programs - Essay Sample

Introduction

Intervention and prevention programs have a primary function of helping reduce juvenile cases in a state. Coming from Long Beach California, the increase in the rate of teenagers involving themselves in criminal activities is astounding. As such, setting up intervention programs for children already engaged in a crime can help them transform their lives and turn their ways (Brown et al., 2014). The use of prevention programs targets communities at large to eradicate any cases of children participating in criminal activities. The presence of intervention and prevention programs helps shape children and involve them in activities that can support their growth. Some of the prevention and intervention programs include administration programs, family law programs, community outreach programs, public programs, classroom and behaviour management programs, and collaborative justice programs (Larson, 2018). In this context, there is data on the way the programs work to reduce juvenile crime, the problems, primary goals, objectives, and tenets, together with how community-based programs address issues related to Juvenile gang. Besides, the paper includes information on the role of law enforcement in the programs, critical participants in the programs, services provided to Juveniles, and effective programs at reducing Juvenile crime.

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How Programs Work to Reduce Juvenile crime

The reduction of Juvenile crime is dependent on the involved individuals implementing suitable measure. The presence of programs which, when applied aid in the reduction of criminal activities by teenagers is a good measure (Larson, 2018). The programs work to reduce Juvenile crime by providing education, community involvement, parent-child interactions, and recreation. The provision of schooling helps individuals distinguish between wrong and right, teach parents on the best way to raise children, and educate children about the adverse effects of joining gangs, abusing drugs, using weapons, together with participating in sexual activities. Involving children in community activities with different volunteer groups and church groups helps them interact with one another around safe environments; thus, curb any desire to engage oneself in criminal activities. Parent-child interactions help build their relationships allowing children to grow up with guidance and a role model (Stockings et al., 2016). Recreational activities help children form positive social networks and find their passions through sports, music, art, bowling, rock climbing, and games. As such, juvenile crime rates reduce tremendously.

Problems, Significant Goals, Objectives, and Tenets

Despite the success of the programs helping reduce cases of Juvenile crime, there are goals and objectives required to aid their functioning, tenets to act as a guide and problems that require solving (Brown et al., 2014). The primary goals and objectives include successful recuperation of the youths to the society, skills development, providing treatment needs, and providing rehabilitation. The central tenets when using preventive or intervention programs involve the aspect of following the law, being human, and engaging social workers to help guide children towards changing their lives. Problems when using intervention/prevention programs arise in cases such as assisting a child in reintegrating in society after serving his/her time. Getting back to the community has many challenges since a child can easily commit a crime and get back to the system (Stockings et al., 2016). Besides, inadequate health facilities to provide sufficient mental health services is a problem. The misdiagnosis of a condition is a common issue when working with juvenile delinquents that can lead to little to no chances of helping a child restructure and live a crime-free life.

How Community-Based Programs Address Issues Related to Juvenile Gang

Prevention/intervention programs for the youths help target those at a high risk of joining gangs and those already members of some groups. Through the use of prevention programs, teens attain knowledge of crime and the structure of their lives when they involve themselves in criminal activities (Larson, 2018). In comparison, providing insight into the effects of living a crime-free life and the future it holds helps them stop engaging themselves in illegal activities. Intervention programs targets children who are part of various gang groups offer guidance by educating them, use recreation activities to draw them away from the gangs helping them find their passion. Therefore, using intervention and prevention programs, one quickly solves problems related to juvenile gang violence.

The Role of Law Enforcement in these Programs

Law enforcer primarily, the police officers have a massive role in the use of prevention or intervention programs to reduce cases of children’s involvement in criminal activities. Since the police officers determine the type of punishment a child involved deserves due to participating in a given crime. By using prevention programs, law enforcement helps make sure that children not initially recorded as juvenile delinquents do not commit criminal activities (Brown et al., 2014). In case a child is on the wrong, law enforcement can ask the child to take part in community services where he/she will attain help. When working with intervention programs, police officers help ensure that individuals live in a safe environment when getting back to society to eradicate the chances of individuals falling back into the criminal path. Besides, law enforcement ensures the following of the laws governing handling juveniles to ensure that people do not fall back into participating in illegal activities.

Key Participants in these Programs

The key participants in prevention and intervention programs include juveniles, parents/guardians, law enforcement, and health facilitators. Parents are vital participants due to the significance of their relationship to a child in structuring the behaviour of a child. The law enforcement help guide the juveniles towards the most suitable program to foster their growth away from any criminal activities (Stockings et al., 2016). Health facilitators identify the condition a minor might have to deduce treatment for the correct mental issues. Besides, health facilitators ensure they satisfy their obligations by providing sufficient healthcare services. Juvenile more likely to participate in a crime and those who already committed a crime is a key participant of the programs to help reduce cases of individuals’ involvement in a crime.

Services Provided to Juveniles

One leading service provided to juveniles includes the reentry into the society program to help ensure that individuals develop and do not re-embark into criminal activities. Listening to a juvenile’s case in court, providing education, and involving them in community services are other amenities offered to Juveniles (Larson, 2018). Generally, services provided to minors associate with helping reduce the rate of criminal activities and shape society with responsible, law-abiding teenagers.

Effective Programs at Reducing Juvenile Crime

Prevention programs and intervention are the most effective programs for reducing juvenile crime. The use of both prevention programs and intervention programs increases their efficiency. Prevention programs focus on ensuring that no criminal activities occur. On the other hand, intervention programs ensure that children taking part in illegal activities attain guidance and start living a criminal free life (Stockings et al., 2016). Therefore, using both programs increases the effectiveness of reducing juvenile crime. For that reason, using both intervention and prevention programs helps eradicate cases of illegal activities reducing juvenile delinquency.

Conclusion

The use of both prevention and intervention programs helps reduce the rate of juvenile crimes. The use of education, recreation, community activities, and rebuilding parent-child relationship helps reduce cases of juvenile delinquency. The use of prevention and intervention programs helps solve issues related to a teenage gang to eradicate instances of individuals joining groups. The presence of goals and objectives while using the programs helps successfully shape the lives of teenagers. Some problems might arise while using intervention and prevention programs; thus, there is a vital need to apply the tenets present for the plans to function accordingly. Health facilitators, parents/guardians, juveniles, and law enforcers are the key participants of the intervention and prevention programs. Reentry into the society, educating individuals, health services, involvement in community activities, and holding a hearing at the juvenile’s court if need be are services offered to minors. Besides, for the success of reducing juvenile crime, it is best to use both prevention and intervention programs as a guide.

References

Brown, E. C., Hawkins, J. D., Rhew, I. C., Shapiro, V. B., Abbott, R. D., Oesterle, S., ... & Catalano, R. F. (2014). Prevention system mediation of Communities That Care effects on youth outcomes. Prevention Science, 15(5), 623-632. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11121-013-0413-7.pdf

Larson, L. A. (2018). Reducing juvenile offender recidivism through diversion. https://minds.wisconsin.edu/bitstream/handle/1793/78130/LarsonLynda.pdf?sequence=3

Stockings, E., Hall, W. D., Lynskey, M., Morley, K. I., Reavley, N., Strang, J., ... & Degenhardt, L. (2016). Prevention, early intervention, harm reduction, and treatment of substance use in young people. The Lancet Psychiatry, 3(3), 280-296. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(16)00002-X