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Despite the existence of minimum age laws for juvenile justice jurisdiction in 18 US states, California has no explicit law that protects children (i.e. youth less than 12 years old) from being processed in the juvenile justice system. In the absence of a minimum age law, California lags behind other states and international practice and standards. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

In this policy brief, academics across the University of California campuses examine current evidence, theory, and policy related to the minimum age of juvenile justice jurisdiction.

Existing evidence suggests that children lack the cognitive maturity to comprehend or benefit from formal juvenile justice processing, and diverting children from the system altogether is likely to be more beneficial for the child and for public safety.

Based on current evidence and theory, the authors argue that minimum age legislation that protects children from contact with the juvenile justice system and treats them as children in need of services and support, rather than as delinquents or criminals, is an important policy goal for California and for other national and international jurisdictions lacking a minimum age law.

California has no law specifying a minimum age for juvenile justice jurisdiction, meaning that young children of any age can be processed in the juvenile justice system. This policy brief provides a rationale for a minimum age law in California and other states and jurisdictions without one.

The purpose of this paper is to make evidence-based recommendations for improving the responses of criminal justice agencies to juvenile burglary offenders.

The paper first analyzes what is known about factors relevant to young offenders’ initiation into burglary and subsequent persistence in that offense. It then evaluates research regarding juvenile justice interventions that can mitigate those factors in order to prevent youth from becoming involved in burglary or to encourage desistance in juvenile burglars.

Effective early intervention with juvenile burglars is vital, as burglars often begin committing this crime in their early teens and quickly develop expertise in the offense. Evidence supports the importance of positive mentoring, substance abuse programs, some forms of restorative justice and multi-modal interventions with education and employment components, while waiving these youth to adult court appears to offer little benefit over less punitive approaches.

This work delivers an original contribution by providing an analysis of existing burglary and juvenile justice research that may be useful to policymakers, law enforcement and other justice practitioners.

Rising societal pressures for the Filipino urban poor population – precipitating increased crime – alongside widespread corruption, have led to many children being both lawfully and unlawfully detained in child rehabilitation centres. Far from rehabilitating, detained children live in prisonlike conditions, despite the illegality of child imprisonment in the country. Their human rights disregarded; they suffer from abuse, neglect and a multitude of health issues, with no access to healthcare. This study aims to explore the experiences and perceptions of formerly detained looked-after adolescents and their carers, on the priority health issues and key health determinants of detained Filipino children.

A qualitative study was conducted in June 2019 in a Filipino children’s home for previously detained children. In total, 18 semi-structured interviews, using photo-elicitation, were conducted to retrospectively explore the experiences of formerly detained children and their carers, who were purposively sampled. Data were transcribed and thematically analysed. Ethical approval was granted by the University of Leeds.

Adolescents and carers commonly reported eight key health issues in detained children, namely, most frequently skin disease, mental health issues and malnutrition, then additionally wounds, respiratory disease, dental problems, sexual health issues and gastrointestinal issues. Six determinants of health in detainment centres were identified as follows: hygiene, food, weather, overcrowding, facilities and safeguarding issues.

The illegality and corruption associated with child detention centres mean the situation of detained Filipino children is difficult to assess directly. This study combats this by exploring the experiences of formerly detained children and their carers, to retrospectively assess the health of illegally detained Filipino Children.

Adolescent problem behaviours (substance use, delinquency, school dropout, pregnancy, and violence) are costly not only for individuals, but for entire communities. Policy makers and practitioners that are interested in preventing these problem behaviours are faced with many programming options. The purpose of this review is to discuss two criteria for selecting relevant parenting programmes, and provide five examples of such programmes.

The first criterion for programme selection is theory based. Well-supported theories, such as the social development model, have laid out key family-based risk and protective factors for problem behaviour. Programmes that target these risk and protective factors are more likely to be effective. Second, programmes should have demonstrated efficacy; these interventions have been called “evidence-based programmes” (EBP). This review highlights the importance of evidence from rigorous research designs, such as randomised clinical trials, in order to establish programme efficacy.

Nurse-Family Partnership, The Incredible Years, the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P), Strengthening Families 10-14, and Staying Connected with Your Teen are examined. The unique features of each programme are briefly presented. Evidence showing impact on family risk and protective factors, as well as long-term problem behaviours, is reviewed. Finally, a measure of cost effectiveness of each programme is provided.

The paper proposes that not all programmes are of equal value, and suggests two simple criteria for selecting a parenting programme with a high likelihood for positive outcomes. Furthermore, although this review is not exhaustive, the five examples of EBPs offer a good start for policy makers and practitioners seeking to implement effective programmes in their communities. Thus, this paper offers practical suggestions for those grappling with investments in child and adolescent programmes on the ground.

Outlines the problem of emancipation (not only of married women) as a problem of economic order, and the historical setting of family and government. Discusses economics of the family, economic order and public finance. Concludes, with special reference to The Netherlands, that incremental improvement in individual freedom is only brought about within the so‐called capitalist system.

Reviews the history of curfews, which began in England under Alfred the Great. Detects an increased interest in current literature in the use of curfews. Surveys 200 US cities and finds that juvenile curfew ordinances have become widespread in the 1990s. Gives data inter alia on age groups affected, time limits applied, geographical constraints applied and curfew enforcement. Recommends that this descriptive analysis be followed by further research to explain the social dynamics of curfew movements, the various impacts of curfew ordinances, the role of community policing, etc.

Examines the extent to which community‐oriented police officers (COP) differ from regular patrol officers in their view of their role in the response to juveniles and in style and intensity of interaction. Based on qualitative field research in a densely populated Southeastern city, initial findings suggest that while COPs devote equal attention to traditional police functions (e.g. law enforcement), they adopt different styles of carrying out these functions (e.g. proactive problem solving). In addition, COP officers more routinely practice juvenile crime prevention, monitoring and diversion and clearly articulate these functions as core components of their role orientation. Questions for future research include the extent to which the new more intimate relationship between police and juveniles in COP areas will increase arrests or promote diversion, whether increased discretion will result in increased harassment or improved informal dispute resolution, and whether officers practicing effective diversion and advocacy will be encouraged to continue or see their efforts undercut by competing departmental priorities or by bureaucratic policies that increase formal processing.

Libraries supporting a forensic psychology undergraduate and/or graduate level college program need to collect materials from a range of disciplines – psychology, law, psychiatry and criminal justice. This guide identifies the major reference works, journals, databases and other resources that should be in a good forensic psychology collection.

Using data from 2009–2016 across 31 states and union territories, this paper investigates determinants of juvenile delinquency in India as well as explores the nature of the complex relationship between economic variables and crime rate.

The paper employs a panel corrected standard error model due to the presence of heteroskedasticity and contemporaneous correlation. Additionally, due to possible feedback effect from independent variables resulting in endogeneity, a two-step generalized method of moments (GMM) is utilized to estimate a system of equations.

Estimation results indicate that macroeconomic factors – GSDP per capita and adult unemployment rate – are significant in explaining the juvenile crime rate in India. Higher poverty rate and percentage of slums were found to increase juvenile crime. This paper also demonstrates the harmful effects that domestic violence has on juvenile delinquency. Finally, education has a deterring impact on crimes relating to juveniles but deterrence factors do not.

While some implications are consistent with those found in previous studies of crime in developed and developing countries, the analysis in this paper also reveals unique results. For example, the adult unemployment rate was negatively correlated with juvenile crime, and an increase in police density exhibits a positive association with the juvenile crime rate. Further analysis of crimes by type (property and violent) reveals additional insights. In addition to that, contrary to hypothesis, by employing GMM estimation, the paper finds no evidence of a negative impact of juvenile delinquency on economic growth.

The purpose of this study was to examine the results of a community-based program addressing the mental health needs of at-risk youth (n = 196) and their families.

The program served as an alternative to secure detention for youth residing in several rural counties in the southeastern part of the country. Several measures were used to evaluate the program’s effectiveness over a four-year timeframe.

The multifaceted program produced favorable results in reducing delinquent behaviors and improving relationships within their family.

This study demonstrated that using a multifaceted intervention can be beneficial to juveniles in the juvenile justice system and their families. This study set out to provide services and interventions aimed at reducing re-offending, exploring career development and improving overall family functioning.

This study is original work and is not being submitted elsewhere.